Ageless Adobe [Paperback]

Jerome Iowa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

The American Southwest possesses an extraordinary depth of cultural heritage and much of its history is preserved in its architecture. Particularly prominent in the region's man-made landscape are the historic structures made from the earth itself: adobe. Attention has turned to ways of preserving and maintaining the old buildings of the Southwest partly because of the growing national interest in historic preservation. However, in the Southwest there has also been an increased awareness of the inherent viability of native architecture. Adobe structures present unique challenges and require special treatment and until now, much of that information has been unpublished. Ageless Adobe provides practical details on methods of preservation and maintenance for old adobe buildings. The over 200 illustrations in the book along with directions on 'how-to' will enable the do-it-yourself home owner as well as the professional architect or contractor to plan and carry out renovation. The author presents solutions to the problems of keeping an historic structure intact while repairing it and making it 20th century livable. The issue of energy conservation is discussed at length and the premise of the book is that historic integrity does not have to be sacrificed for energy efficiency. Rehabilitation is always preferable, usually possible and often more profitable than demolition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sunstone Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086534034X
• ISBN-13: 978-0865340343
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,254,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal, October 30, 2006

By 

Willa Bandler (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ageless Adobe (Paperback)

If you are interested in preservation, vernacular architecture, architectural history, or just in understanding the beautiful and functional adobe buildings of northern New Mexico, this book is an absolute must-read. I've lived in Santa Fe my whole life, and have always loved adobe buildings, but I still learned a lot from it. What it's not: a superficial collection of pretty pictures to show you how to make your faux-dobe house look all "Santa Fe Style".

Also, if you are thinking of stuccoing your adobe house, put down the trowel and read this first. Please?

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but buy the Cornerstone book, June 10, 2009

By 

K. Dyer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ageless Adobe (Paperback)

After a more-than-usually useful description of architectural styles of adobe structures, this book has chapters on restoring walls, roofs, porches and woodwork and doors and windows. Missing is what to do about floors. Chapter 12 (3 pages) is about adaptation and additions including solar energy. Page 117 has a detailed illustration about the difficulties of adding insulation to a flat dirt roof.