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Adobe Construction Program
About the program
Adobe construction has been used in New Mexico and in surrounding states since the eleventh century. As one of the world's oldest forms of building, it produces solid, long lasting structures. The great mass of adobe walls absorbs heat and releases it when the temperatures drop. It is straightforward to create a passive solar structure with this mass available to store heat. Northern's Adobe Construction Program is unique - the nation's only full-fledged certification program in building with adobe. It generally takes two semesters of classroom and field work to earn a Certificate in Adobe Construction. While offering a hands-on, apprenticeship-type experience, the program includes sufficient classroom instruction to ensure complete, critical coverage of all aspects of building adobe structures.
Students receive hands-on experience through working at home-construction sites, renovating houses and buildings and working on individual projects. The program will appeal particularly to the nature student, who is seeking such an experience out of the love of working with natural materials.
Certificate in ADOBE CONSTRUCTION (El Rito)
Provides the instruction necessary to design and build an adobe structure. The program emphasizes the traditional Northern New Mexico and Southwestern designs and dwelling accessories, such as kiva fireplaces, hornos, corbels, carved columns, and vigas with latillas. Modern and emerging technologies and material are also covered. As a graduate, you will be capable of being employed with construction firms, being self-employable in specialized subcontractor trades, or you can build your own traditional or modern Southwestern structures using adobe.
GENERAL EDUCATION (6-7 crs)
Communications (3)
- ENG 108N Basic English I (3)
- Mathematics (3-4)
- MATH 100N (4) or a higher level math course (3)
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (27-28 crs)
- ADOB 100 Adobe Construction Basics (3) or ADOB 101 Adobe Design and Construction Worldwide (3)
- ADOB 102 Adobe Wall Construction (4)
- ADOB 103 Roof Design and Construction (4)
- ADOB 104 Floor Design and Construction (4)
- ADOB 105 Interior Finish Practices (4)
- ADOB 106 Exterior Finish Practices (4)
- ADOB 107 Heating (2)
Choose one elective from the following courses:
- ADOB 110 Adobe Preservation, Conservation, and Renovation (2)
- ADOB 111 Horno Design/Construction (2)
- ADOB 112 Arches, Domes, and Vaults (2)
- CONS 155 Construction Math and Blueprint Reading (3)
- CONS 158 Foundation Theory and Construction (2)
TOTAL CREDITS 34-35