Academics
ADOBE CONSTRUCTION (ADOB)
100 TRADITIONAL DWELLING DESIGN
You will cover the design and construction techniques of traditional and modern adobe dwelling and monumental structures of Northern New Mexico from foundation to roof, including passive solar design. (Fall) (3, 3T+0S
101 ADOBE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WORLDWIDE
You will cover the history of adobe buildings throughout the world, with emphasis on modern practices that meet building codes worldwide. You will examine design and construction techniques of homes, monumental structures, and settlements. You will also make adobes and build walls and other building components. Classes will be conducted on- and off-campus, and may utilize the Internet and other distance-learning facilitators. (3, 2T+1S)
102 ADOBE WALL CONSTRUCTION
You will cover exterior and interior walls and buttresses, foundations, rough bucks, lintels, bond beams; and the installation of doors and windows, including wood frame, and post and beam techniques. Classes are conducted on- and off-campus. (Fall) (4, 2T+2S)
103 ROOF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
You will cover traditional Southwest designs of pitched and flat roofs: materials, structure, and plans, including vigas, beams, joists, rafters, trusses, latillas, rough boards, tongue-and-groove, deck sheathing, canales, and parapets. Class are conducted on- and off-campus. (4, 2T+2S)
104 FLOOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
You will discus and build (or mock up) traditional and modern floors and floor coverings found in the Southwest, including mud, wood, brick, stone, concrete, tile, and sheet goods. . Class are conducted on- and off-campus. (4, 2T+2S)
105 INTERIOR FINISH PRACTICES
You will deal with traditional and modern finishes found in the buildings of the Southwest: mud plaster by hand and trowel, cement and gypsum plasters, exposed adobe bricks, carved adobe, wood trim at doors and windows, baseboards, wainscot, tile work, decorative stone, tin ceilings, nichos, carved columns, corbels, lintels, sheet rock hanging and finishing, and painting and staining. . Class are conducted on- and off-campus. (4, 2T+2S)
106 EXTERIOR FINISH PRACTICES
You will deal with traditional and modern finishes found on buildings of the Southwest: mud stabilized mud, cement plasters, elastomeric plasters, insulation, vapr barriers, moisture protection, lath systems, exterior sheathing, patios, portales, vigas, posts, corbels, exposed lintels, wood trim at doors and windows, brick, stone, paint, and tile decoration. . Classes are conducted on- and off-campus. (4, 2T+2S)
107 PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING
You will learn the passive solar heating systems that work well when integrated into the design of adobe homes, including direct gain systems, Trombe wall (indirect) systems, and greenhouse/sunspaces. You will learn the advantages and disadvantages of each system in order to choose between them for use in different parts of a house or commercial structure. You will cover calculations for appropriate sizing of systems as well as auxiliary back-up systems. (2, 2T+0S)
110 REMODEL THEORY AND PRACTICES
You will learn stabilization, restoration, renovation, modernization, remodeling, and additions to existing adobe structures; surveying, estimating cost, historic building requirements, and safety considerations. Classes will be conducted both on-and-off-campus. (Spring) (2, 1T+1S)
111 HORNO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
You will study the history and design of hornos and mud ovens throughout the world. You will construct a traditional New Mexico horno and do a baking demonstration. Classes will be conducted on-and-off-campus. (1, 0T+1S)
112 ARCHES, DOMES, AND VAULTS
You will learn systems to create openings and roofs in adobe structures using masonry materials in situations where wood and steel are not available or not desired. You will discuss and use traditional New Mexican and world-wide techniques. Classes will be conducted on-and-off-campus. (2, 1T+1S)
201 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ADOBE CONSTRUCTION
This course is designed for you if you have completed the core adobe curriculum or who have construction industry experience and wish to gain skills beyond the entry level. Topics will range across the full curriculum, plus introduce new industry techniques and materials. Individualized learning objectives will be accommodated and research topics may be included. Topics may include computerized heat loss and gain analysis, super-adobe, cast-earth, rammed earth, straw-bale, straw/clay, and pumicecrete construction. If you wish to build skills to establish a business, you might pursue topics such as bidding with architects and designers; establishing credit with banks, suppliers, and subcontractors; and getting paid. May be repeated once for credit. Co-requisite: ADOB 202. (4, 4T+0S)
202 ADVANCED TOPICS PRACTICUM
Hands-on experience for ADOB 201 topics, such as actual construction and finishing of full-scale. Field experience could be on-campus or off-campus with a local contractor or with Habitat for Humanity. You might choose to build a home for yourself or actually establish a contracting business. May be repeated once for credit. Co-requisite: ADOB 201. (9, 0T+9S)