Customer Reviews

Adobe Conservation

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If you are about to restore an abode building, or just curious about adobe building methods, history, and tradition, I recommend that you read this book first.
It covers solutions to every possible problem you might encounter. The Cornerstone Group has been restoring historic adobes, mostly in New Mexico, for more than twenty years. They have successfully restored historic buildings that most would have considered beyond repair. Their approach is aimed toward long-term survival of the restored building using appropriate styles and historically correct materials wherever possible. Everything written about in this book has been done in the real world and works. Writing and illustrations are clear and concise. Adobe construction styles and history are also clearly illustrated, and many building terms are given in both English and Spanish. Both traditional and modern methods of conservation are discussed. Valuable old oral tradition is also recorded here, such as repair of large cracks in adobe with lime water, animal bones, and adobe mud. Necessary subjects that I have not seen written about elsewhere are included, such the proper method of cleaning and conserving dirt-floor attics under tin roofs. I recommend this book as the best possible introduction to the subject, and a most useful reference regardless of one's level of knowledge and expertise. It is very readable and entertaining, even if you never intend to build with adobe. It is also a great introduction to understanding the spirit of early builders.

Run, don't walk, if you are even thinking of restoring an adobe house, and buy this book. For each section it has a list (and drawings) of the tools you will need. It starts with things you might not even think of -- like how to determine why an adobe wall is having problems and how to prevent the problem from reoccurring before you repair the adobe. If I have any qualms about recommending this book, it is that all the examples are monuments, such as churches, and the restorers have an infinite amount of labor and money. I would never buy an adobe in the shape that some of these churches are...but I understand why the community would want them restored. The other issue is that this book deals with strict restoration -- adding a bathroom or an updated kitchen is not part of their plans. [...]

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The text is lucid, easy to understand, well illustrated. It's a must-have for any consultant involved in adobe preservation work.