Santa Fe: A Research Opportunity

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Sorry, for the lack of shed updates. Taking two vacations in less than two months has really cut into my building time. It's a tough life, I know. On our most recent trip we did get an opportunity to do a little adobe research. On a road trip out west Jean and I stopped in Sante Fe for the weekend to meet up with our friends Julie and Josh. They took us on a walking tour of the city including a stop by a 17th century adobe house and church.
Most of the houses and other structures (this is a hotel) in Sante Fe are designed to look like adobe but they're really made of concrete with concrete stucco exterior finish.
This house is the real deal. It dates from the 1600s.

Doesn't look like there's a bond beam. The vigas (rafters) are lying directly on the wall.

This lintel over the doorway is about eight inches tall. The opening is about three feet wide and lintel extends about 18 inches on either side.

The wall is close to two feet thick.

The exterior plaster uses really finely cut straw.
Earthen bricks with earthen plaster
The San Miguel Chapel is from the same period as the house although is has been damaged and rebuilt a few times. It is made of adobe and well beyond my skill level right now.

Inside the Chapel


Outside the New Mexico State Capitol

But, man can live on natural building alone. Fortunately, Julie and Josh may be bigger gamers than Jean and myself. Here's a divisive game of Hanabi.

And a thoughtful game of Carcassonne

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