How the Owner Builder Support Program Works


Adobe in Action's Owner Builder Support Program provides ongoing project support to graduates of our online Certificate in Adobe Construction Program during the planning and construction phases of their owner builder projects. Current and past project support has included (but is not limited to):

  • lot selection/purchasing advice

  • cost estimation for owner-builder projects

  • design & building plan consultation

  • code & permit assistance

  • construction site planning

  • student-supported adobe brick production

  • student-supported adobe wall construction

  • student-supported natural plastering

Graduates of the online certificate program are eligible to apply for support. If their project is selected, special project management software is used to create an online group collaboration space where project support can be requested and provided. For each project, the support recipient is given access to the online project management system as well as Adobe in Action's Owner Builder Support Team. The support team is currently made up of the following Adobe in Action board members:

  • Quentin Wilson (a retired adobe contractor and Director Emeritus of The Adobe Construction Program at Northern New Mexico College)

  • Ben Loescher (a licensed architect and adobe construction/code specialist)

  • Lisa Morey (a professional engineer and architectural designer with experience in adobe construction)

  • Ethan Novikoff (an AinA Certificate in Adobe Construction holder and past owner builder support recipient)

  • Dan Krause (an AinA Certificate in Adobe Construction holder and 3-time owner builder)

Kurt Gardella (Adobe in Action's executive director and online instructor) provides technical administration for the support.

Generally speaking, most of the project support is provided via the online project management system. Telephone support and in-person site visits can also be requested by the support recipient. The project management system contains the following online collaboration/project support tools:

  • A project discussion forum which the support recipient and support team use to communicate with each other. This discussion forum is the project's main communication platform for posting questions and obtaining answers related to the support recipient’s adobe construction project. The messages can be pushed to the participants' e-mail addresses as well.

  • A file-sharing tool which keeps all important documents and building plans in a consolidated space that is accessible to all participants at all times.

  • A project calendar tool which can be used for setting project milestones.

  • A to-do list tool which can be used to assign and keep track of project tasks and deadlines.

The project support team also helps to coordinate volunteers (usually past or current students of the online certificate program) who wish to spend a day or two helping out with a project. We have also begun coordinating more formal on-site support workshops which connect students who are currently enrolled in the online certificate program with program graduates who have moved on to building their own adobe homes.