Mud Talks

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. Resources & Further Reading: Adobe Conservation - A Prese...

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...

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 h...

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, process...

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...

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. R...

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 f...

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...

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 experie...

In our eleventh Mud Talks podcast, we speak to Ethan Novikoff about his owner builder adobe experience. Ethan has gone through all phases of owner builder support at Adobe in Action - he has taken all 8 of our online courses, participated in our remote owner builder support program and even served as a volunteer for our biennial earthbuilding conference called Earth USA. Ethan recently became a bo...

In our tenth Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson takes us through the basics of installing different floor types in adobe structures.

In our ninth Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson takes us through the basics of finishing adobe structures with interior and exterior plasters.

In our eighth Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson takes us through the basic design and materials of typical roofs used on adobe structures in New Mexico.

In our seventh Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson continues our discussion on the planning and construction of adobe walls with a special focus on lintels & bond beams.

In our sixth Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson takes us through the first steps of planning and constructing adobe walls.

Our fifth Mud Talks podcast is dedicated to Richard Levine - the founder of New Mexico Earth Adobes - who passed away on September 30, 2018. This guest interview with Richard was recorded in the spring of 2012 during a work session at Swan House in Presidio, Texas (home of The Adobe Alliance).

In our fourth Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson talks all things foundations for adobe structures.

In our third Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson introduces us to the raw materials used in adobe construction as well as the basic adobe brickmaking process.

In our second Mud Talks podcast, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson takes us deep into the topic of passive solar design - the first step in any successful adobe home build.

In this first episode, Adobe in Action Board President Quentin Wilson introduces himself and the basics of adobe as a building material.