ADOBE
The most ancient structures of
the Southwest region of the United States still standing are
represented in buildings made from adobe used in homes and Southwest
missions. The early settlers of the region constructed homes of adobe
because the materials were plentiful and at hand. Due to the lack of
wood or masonry material, adobe was the choice of early shelters.
Today, we have discovered that this material is not only abundant but
also adaptable to changing climate and temperatures.
With the advance of
the railroad, other materials used in the East made their way to the
Southwest region and changed the face of local architecture. Most of
the homes at the time were constructed of adobe due mainly to its high
availability and low cost. It became more associated with the lower
class which family members participated in the manufacturing of bricks
using their feet and wooden molds. They relied entirely on the earth to
provide the materials and not on any external shipments. Modern times
have shown a trend towards adobe construction not only on aesthetics
but also on practicality.
There are those who
consider adobe the material of the poor, but now the thinking by the
rich has renewed interest in this ancient building process. In some
places, such as Santa Fe, New Mexico, these homes may cost beginning at
$100,000. Certainly adobe homes can be constructed much cheaper. The
manufacturing of adobe brick has become an industrial process. The camp
of owners falls into two categories, those who hire contractors and
those who do their own construction.
What are the
characteristics of Adobe?
Traditionally, adobe brick
measures 10x14x4 inches. Ideally, the mixture contains 20% clay and 80%
sand. These materials are mixed with water and acquire a more fluid
state that allows it to be poured into wooden forms with the above
dimensions. When the water evaporates, the brick becomes hard, and it
is then removed from the form. It is stacked one upon the other like
fallen dominoes. About 30 days later, the bricks become as strong as
cement.
The use of straw is
commonly considered an essential part of the adobe brick, however,
contemporary bricks of adobe do not contain it. The use of straw is
thought to impart rigidity to the brick and prevent it from cracking
during the curing process. If, however, the proper proportion of sand
to clay is used this should not occur.
"High Technology"
Abode
The basic mixture of clay and
sand in adobe has been altered using emulsified asphalt. This is the
component used in road construction. This imparts to the adode a
waterproof quality. This incorporation is not fully accepted since the
outer wall will be covered by stucco (plaster). If the wall is an inner
patio or garden then its use is justified.
“Purists” are not accepting to this idea and prefer
the natural quality of adobe brick. Using asphalt will release gases
that may prove harmful to man or the environment but no long-term
studies of its effect have been done.
Why use Adobe?
There are advantages and
disadvantages associated with its use. From the homebuilder, the easy
of use makes the material attractive. In its mud form, it is easy to
cut and shape. Taking from the childhood experience, using mud seems to
make for a pleasant experience.
Although it is fairly
simple to construct ones own material, the cost remains at $2000 to
$3000 for a modest structure. The difference is the cost of
transportation of the material and or the cost using traditional or
high tech brick.
The amount of
required energy and associated pollutants of the manufacturing process
relies mainly on the type of material. By comparison, adobe may require
2000 BTUs compared to traditional Eastern brick requiring 30,000 BTUs.
Because there are
minimal transportation costs of material, this is ideally suited for
the environmentalist. As for the Solar Enthusiast, this is the simplest
way to create a thermal mass. To combine these two concepts it has
become known as Solaradobe.
English version of
"Building with Adobe" coming soon!
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