About The Earthbuilders' Guild

TEG’s mission is to promote, preserve and expand the building methods of adobe, rammed earth, and compressed earth block construction. Our organization is dedicated to the betterment and advancement of earthen construction of homes and commercial buildings, including the preservation and restoration of existing buildings.

The commitment of people in this industry stretches across family traditions, community heritage, meaningful work, environmental concerns, and the joy of working with the earth. We want to ensure that we continue to make history through our building processes while improving them to create safe, comfortable, long-lasting structures.

Announcements

Next Board Meeting & Tour

Join us, Saturday, May 17, 2025! Our next Earthbuilders’ Guild’s tour will be in Mesilla, NM (Las Cruces area).

Pat Taylor, adobe preservationist, will be our host. He has recently formed Querencia Mi Mesilla, a nonprofit established to preserve and appreciate Mesilla's historic adobe structures, vibrant culture and community. We will tour Pat Taylor's current projects. The Provencio House, an 1850/60s old adobe that is in terrible shape. It’s located just a couple of blocks from the Plaza. We will also see the Pemo Gamboa House, 1970s, which is two blocks away. If time allows we will visit one more site. We will meet on the Plaza and begin at 1:30.

An email RSVP is required to attend. This tour is free to TEG members, a pre-paid donation of $10 is requested of non-members (payment request will be sent via PayPal). Please email Pat Rutherford at theearthbuildersguild@gmail.com by May 12th to RSVP for this tour.

Come join us, connect with those interested in earthen construction!

Prior to the tour, the TEG Board will be meeting at 9:30 am. If you are interested in attending the board meeting, let us know and we will send you details. Attending by Zoom is an option.

Code Activities

The Earthbuilders' Guild - New Mexico Earthen Code Survey

Do you design, build or repair structures covered by New Mexico’s Earthen Building Materials Building Code? The Earthbuilders' Guild invites feedback from builders, contractors, and design professionals related to building regulation for earthen construction in New Mexico. Your responses will help The Earthbuilders' Guild inform discussions with regulators and prioritize Code Committee activities.

Link to survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5eAYtzWt2F82p5bjvyKgRUeZdkVCHZDxvoiv1L_vpdVP94w/viewform

TEG Certifications

The Next TEG Adobe Proficiency and Adobe Fundamentals Certification examinations will be held in the Fall of 2023. For questions please email us: theearthbuildersguild@gmail.com. For complete information about the Adobe Proficiency Certification click on "Get Involved" button above.

Adobe Proficiency Certification Application

form.jotform.com/72193233771355

Adobe Fundamentals Certificate Application

form.jotform.com/220612852894359

Classes

Santa Fe Community College

Summer 2025

ADOB 1123 - Compressed Earth Block Construction
Dates: 06/02-07/26/2025 (class meets in person June 21 and 22, July 12 and 13, 2025)
Format: Blended (50% online + 50% field work)
Instructors: Kurt Gardella & John Jordan

ADOB 1190 - Adobe Building Practicum
Dates: 06/02-07/26/2025
Format: Online + 40 hours of documented practicum field work
Instructor: Kurt Gardella

Fall 2025

ADOB 1111 - Adobe Construction Basics
Dates: 08/18-10/11/2025 (class meets in person Sept. 20, Sept. 21, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28, 2025)
Format: Blended (50% online + 50% field work)
Instructors: Kurt Gardella & Issac Logsdon

ADOB 1112 - Adobe Wall Construction
Dates: 10/14-12/06/2025 (class meets in person Oct. 25, Oct. 26, Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, 2025)
Format: Blended (50% online + 50% field work)
Instructors: Kurt Gardella & Issac Logsdon

ADOB 1113 - Passive Solar Adobe Design
Dates: 10/14-12/06/2025
Format: Online
Instructor: Kurt Gardella

View the full Summer 2025 online schedule here: https://sfccssb.sfcc.edu/PROD/pw_pub_sched.p_listthislist?term_in=202510&subj_in=ADOB
View the full Fall 2025 online schedule here: https://sfccssb.sfcc.edu/PROD/pw_pub_sched.p_listthislist?term_in=202520&subj_in=ADOB

Full details the Adobe Construction Program at SFCC can be found at: https://www.sfcc.edu/programs/adobe-construction/