Mud Talks 24: Owner Builder Adobe Off-Grid Site Prep in Eastern Arizona with Jaimus & Kim

In our twenty-fourth Mud Talks podcast, we speak to future adobe owner builders Jaimus & Kim about the steps they have taken to get their property ready for an upcoming off-grid adobe home build in Eastern Arizona.

Jaimus & Kim in their off-grid RV during the interview. Photo by Adobe in Action.

Mud Talks 23: Owner Builder Rex Edhlund Making Adobes in Pioneertown, CA

In our twenty-third Mud Talks podcast, we speak to owner builder Rex Edhlund about his adobe blockmaking operation and plans to build his own adobe home in Pioneertown, CA.

Mud Talks #23 Resource List

All photos by Adobe in Action.

Mud Talks 22: The Owner Builder Adobe Experience with Dan Krause in Taos, NM

In our twenty-second Mud Talks podcast, we speak to Dan Krause about his owner builder adobe experience in the Taos, New Mexico area. Dan has participated in all 8 of our online courses at Adobe in Action and also gave a podium presentation about his project at Earth USA 2022. You can download his full paper about the project here. Dan recently became a board member at Adobe in Action. Listen as he walks you through his personal owner builder adobe journey.

Mud Talks 21: Earth USA 2022 "Experiments in Modernizing Cob Construction"

In our twenty-first Mud Talks podcast, we listen to Stephen Hren deliver his podium presentation "Experiments in Modernizing Cob Construction" at the Earth USA 2022 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Download his accompanying PDF research paper here.

Stephen Hren is a general contractor, writer, and home inspector living in Durham, North Carolina. He has been building with cob for over two decades.

Earth USA 2022 was the 11th International Conference on Earthen Architecture & Construction hosted by Adobe in Action. More information about the conference can be found at www.earthusa.org.

Mud Talks 20: Earth USA 2022 "Pedagogical and Research Frameworks for Earth Architecture"

In our twentieth Mud Talks podcast, we listen to Lola Ben-Alon deliver her podium presentation "Pedagogical and Research Frameworks for Earth Architecture" at the Earth USA 2022 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Download her accompanying PDF research paper here.

Lola Ben-Alon is an Assistant Professor at Columbia GSAPP, where she directs the Natural Materials Lab and the Building Tech curriculum. She specializes in socially and environmentally sustainable building materials, construction practices, and engineering-architecture collaborations. Her current work focuses on natural earth- and bio-based building materials, their manual and digital fabrication, life cycle, supply chains, and policy. She uses quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the embodied and operational impacts of low-carbon assemblies such as cob, rammed earth, and light straw clay.

Earth USA 2022 was the 11th International Conference on Earthen Architecture & Construction hosted by Adobe in Action. More information about the conference can be found at www.earthusa.org.

Mud Talks 19: Earth USA 2022 "Flood-Resilient Earthen Construction Technology: When Earth Meets Fabric"

In our nineteenth Mud Talks podcast, we listen to Scarlett Lee deliver her podium presentation "Flood-Resilient Earthen Construction Technology: When Earth Meets Fabric" at the Earth USA 2022 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Download her accompanying PDF research paper here.

Scarlett Lee is a PhD Candidate & Tutor of Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh, UK. She was the winner of the 2022 Fred Webster Earthbuilding Engineering Prize at Earth USA 2022.

Earth USA 2022 was the 11th International Conference on Earthen Architecture & Construction hosted by Adobe in Action. More information about the conference can be found at www.earthusa.org.

Mud Talks 18: Earth USA 2022 "Legal Adobe in California - A Pathway for Building Permits"

In our eighteenth Mud Talks podcast, we listen to architect Ben Loescher and professional engineer Anthony Dente deliver their podium presentation "Legal Adobe in California - A Pathway for Building Permits" at the Earth USA 2022 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Earth USA 2022 was the 11th International Conference on Earthen Architecture & Construction hosted by Adobe in Action. More information about the conference can be found at www.earthusa.org.

Mud Talks 17: Earth USA 2022 Keynote Address by Mark Chalom

In our seventeenth Mud Talks podcast, we listen to architect Mark Chalom deliver his keynote address "Building with Earth - Past, Present and Future from my Street Corner" at the Earth USA 2022 Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mark specializes in blending handcrafted Traditional and Contemporary styles with sustainable technologies. Mark’s experience spans both design and construction of environmentally appropriate buildings. Since 1975, Mark has taken his architecture beyond Passive Solar and looks at the total structure, site, materials, systems, water, landscaping and their interaction with each other and the environment. His sensitivity to the historic cultures has blended these new technologies with the traditional forms and materials that have evolved in Northern New Mexico out of common sense and appropriateness. Mark is known for his expertise in the development of the “Solar Adobe” based on the past but adaptive and relevant to the future.

Earth USA 2022 was the 11th International Conference on Earthen Architecture & Construction hosted by Adobe in Action. More information about the conference can be found at www.earthusa.org.

Mud Talks #17 Resource List

Mud Talks 16: CEB Home Construction & Finishing with Jim Hallock

In our sixteenth Mud Talks podcast, we speak to Jim Hallock of Earth Block International / Native Earth Block. Jim left traditional construction methods nearly 30 years ago for a life devoted to building with a healthy, sustainable, and superior product - Earth - and has since become the Western Hemisphere’s preeminent expert in Earth Block creation and construction. Due to the chemical sensitivity of his wife, Nora, Jim left California for rural Colorado in search of a non-toxic building material. After attending multiple seminars and presentations on various “green” systems, he found the answer right beneath his feet, leased a machine from New Mexico, and built what he now refers to as Earth Block One: his first of hundreds. The rest is a long and dirty history, spanning eight states and nine countries. Join us for this episode as Jim gives us an in-depth overview of his personal preferences when designing and building homes with CEBs.

Mud Talks 15-8: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Wood Elements in Earthen Structures & Their Preservation + Maintenance Plans & Cycles

With Mud Talks 15-8 we wrap up a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this final episode of the series we speak to Jake Barrow, Cornerstones Community Partnerships Program Director. We speak about wood elements in earthen structures and their preservation as well as the importance of maintenance plans and cycles for earthen structures.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-8 Resource List

  • Adobe Conservation - A Preservation Handbook
    pp. 117 to 126, 159 to 174, 191 to 208
    by Cornerstones Community Partnerships (Author), Francisco Uviña Contreras (Illustrator)
    Publisher: Sunstone Press (August 15, 2006)
    ISBN-13: 978-0865345270
    https://www.cstones.org/books

Mud Talks 15-7: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Traditional Plasters & Plaster/Surface Conservation

With Mud Talks 15-7 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this seventh episode of the series we speak to Angela Francis, Cornerstones Community Partnerships Project Manager. We speak about traditional plasters & plaster/surface conservation.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-7 Resource List

  • Adobe Conservation - A Preservation Handbook
    pp. 127 to 148, 155 to 158
    by Cornerstones Community Partnerships (Author), Francisco Uviña Contreras (Illustrator)
    Publisher: Sunstone Press (August 15, 2006)
    ISBN-13: 978-0865345270
    https://www.cstones.org/books

  • Clay Culture: Plasters, Paints & Preservation
    by Carole Crews
    Publisher: Gourmet Adobe Press (8 Sept. 2010)
    ISBN-13: 978-0984222902
    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8421842-clay-culture

Mud Talks 15-6: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Basal/Wall Stabilization & Stitching Techniques, Repairing Structural Cracks

With Mud Talks 15-6 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this sixth episode of the series we speak to Pat Taylor, Historic Preservation Specialist & General Contractor. We speak about basal/wall stabilization and stitching techniques as well as repairing structural cracks.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-6 Resource List

Mud Talks 15-5: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Raw Material Identification & Testing, Making Adobe Bricks, Working with Earth & Stone

With Mud Talks 15-5 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this fifth episode of the series we speak to Pat Taylor, Historic Preservation Specialist & General Contractor followed by Calvin Chimoni from El Morro National Monument. We speak about raw material identification & testing, making adobe bricks as well as working with earth & stone.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-5 Resource List

Mud Talks 15-4: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Building Assessments, Identifying Damage & Structural Issues, Seismic Concerns

With Mud Talks 15-4 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this fourth episode of the series we speak to Jake Barrow, Program Director at Cornerstones Community Partnerships. We speak about earthen building assessments, identifying damage & structural issues as well as basic engineering principles & seismic/structural retrofit of historic earthen buildings.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-4 Resource List

Mud Talks 15-3: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Capillary Action, Permeability & Salt Attack

With Mud Talks 15-3 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this third episode of the series we speak to Pat Taylor, Historic Preservation Specialist & General Contractor followed by Eric Liefeld, President of Mesilla Valley Preservation, Inc. We speak about capillary action, permeability and salt attack – including sources, processes and effects of deterioration.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-3 Resource List

Mud Talks 15-2: Preserving Earthen Architecture - Typical Architectural Styles, Features & Materials Found in Earthen Structures

With Mud Talks 15-2 we continue a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this second episode of the series we speak to Francisco Uviña, Project Consultant and Director of the Historic Preservation and Regionalism Certificate Program at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture and Planning. We speak about typical architectural styles, features & materials found in earthen structures in the Southwest USA.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks #15-2 Resource List

  • Adobe Conservation - A Preservation Handbook pp. 19 to 37
    by Cornerstones Community Partnerships (Author), Francisco Uviña Contreras (Illustrator)
    Publisher: Sunstone Press (August 15, 2006)
    ISBN-13: 978-0865345270
    https://www.cstones.org/books

  • Early Architecture in New Mexico
    by Bainbridge Bunting
    Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; First Edition (June 1, 1976)
    ISBN-13: 978-0826304353

Mud Talks 15-1: Preserving Earthen Architecture - The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties

With Mud Talks 15-1 we begin a special eight-part miniseries dedicated to the topic of preserving earthen architecture. In this first episode of the series we speak to historical architect Randy Skeirik and Jake Barrow from Cornerstones Community Partnerships about the use of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in connection with earthen structures.

The Mud Talks Preserving Earthen Architecture series is brought to you in collaboration with Cornerstones Community Partnerships and is made possible by the support of the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service and a National Center for Preservation Technology & Training grant.

Mud Talks 14: Colorado Earth's CEB Wall System with Lisa Morey

In our fourteenth Mud Talks podcast, we speak to Lisa Morey of Colorado Earth - Colorado's own Compressed Earth Block Maker. Lisa is a professional engineer and architectural designer who has been working in the construction industry since 2000. Join us for this episode to hear more about Lisa’s mission to scale the natural building industry in Colorado by offering an affordable wall system made from locally obtained material.

Mud Talks #14 Resource List

Mud Talks 13: Manual Press CEBs with Mike Lopach from Brick by Brick

In our thirteenth Mud Talks podcast, we speak to Mike Lopach, the original founder of Adobe in Action. Mike has moved on to a new project in Scottsdale, Arizona called Brick by Brick. He and his team are using a manual block press to make CEBs (compressed earth blocks) together with people experiencing homelessness. Mike introduces us to some of the key differences between adobe and CEB production as well as his complete CEB production workflow - from raw soil to cured block.

Mud Talks 12: Plumbing & Electric Part I - Planning & Logistics

In our twelfth Mud Talks podcast, we tackle one of the more challenging topics for the adobe owner builder - plumbing & electric. Quentin Wilson gets this topic started for us in Part I by focusing on essential planning and logistics questions. In an upcoming Part II episode on this topic we'll continue the conversation with Ethan Novikoff about his recent owner builder plumbing & electric experience with some good advice on what you can realistically do yourself and where to look for assistance when needed.