Old Adobe Buildings In San Ignacio, Baja California Sur

This is the last post on San Ignacio, B.C.S. 

and this time we will look at old adobe houses, mostly in ruins.

The previous post shows some adobes still being used:

Architectural Tour Of San Ignacio, Baja California Sur.

Sadly, I saw no current building with adobe, 

having been supplanted first by fired clay bricks 

and now almost all new construction is cement block. 

As I mentioned in the last post, 

if one had the choice of spending a hot summer in a cool adobe

 or a hot cement block house, 

it seems the choice would be obvious. Hmmm?

In the above well built wall, 

the coursing shows the bricks are laid crosswise for a wider wall.

Adobes In Ruins In Alamos, Sonora

We happened to notice this old adobe ruins 

along one of our walking routes in Alamos.

Making Adobe Bricks In Patzcuaro, Michoacan

A couple of years ago Allison and I stayed at the

 Villa Patzcuaro Garden Hotel and RV Park

and as luck would have it the owners son was an architect 

and contractor with an adobe making operation adjacent to the campground.

Hernan Pimentel concentrated on modern design 

using traditional materials and techniques.

The pit above is in an arroyo which fills back up with dirt 

after the summer rains so each year more adobe dirt.

Capping An Adobe Wall

Adobe can be an excellent choice for a privacy wall 

but in most climates it must be protected from rain and snow.

El Pedregal In Alamos, Sonora-Adobe Casitas

In the six weeks we spent in Alamos this winter,

 I could only find one example of adobe being used in contemporary building,

and that was at El Pedregal Nature Lodge and Retreat Center.

The five casitas and lodge were built of adobe 

in the last few years by David and Jennifer MacKay.

Above is one of the casitas.

Old Adobes

In the past month or so we have passed by three old adobe houses.

An Old Adobe Cottage in Alamos, Sonora

Our friends Steve and MaryJane have a house in Alamos 

with a very nice casita on the property.

It is a very old adobe that has been remodeled, 

and I think of it as being in a cottage style.

Adobe In Patzcuaro, Michoacan

A couple of years ago we stayed at the Hotel Villa Patzcuaro campground 

in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico and the owners son, Hernan Pimentel,

 is an architect and builder who has a passion for adobe and traditional building.

The Ruins Of Paquime

In the northwestern part of the Mexican state of Chihuahua

 is the Pre-Columbian ruins of Paquime.

Adobe Brick Making in Patzcuaro, Mexico

(Please Note: To see an updated version of this post go to Making Adobe Bricks In Patzcuaro, Michoacan.)

 Since my last post was on bricks I thought I would follow up with one on making adobes (unfired) in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.  We were fortunate to be able to spend a month at the Hotel Villa Patzcuaro RV Park right on the edge of town.  One of the owner's sons Hernan Pimentel was an architect and a contractor who lived on the same rather large piece of property.  He also had a couple of houses that he had designed on the property as well as a newer building that I think was supposed to be a kitchen area for the campground as well as for special parties.  He also had an adobe brick making operation for his business right beside the campground.  I couldn't believe my good luck.

(Please Note: To see an updated version of this post go to Making Adobe Bricks In Patzcuaro, Michoacan.)

Brick Making and Kilns in Sonora, Mx.

     (PLEASE NOTE: To see an updated version of this post please go to: Making Fired Bricks In Alamos, Sonora.)

      Welcome to this new blog on alternative building which will cover topics such as earthen building, passive solar energy, energy conservation, owner builder issues, tiling, stone masonry, woodworking, and the trades in general. Mixed in will be design ideas and as we ( my wife and I ) travel we will be reporting on what we find on the road especially in Mexico. Comments would be very appreciated and please bear with me as I learn the ropes on blogging.
     We are currently in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico where there is much of interest for builders. A friend of ours at our campground was interested in wood fired kilns for ceramics and ran across some guys firing a brick kiln nearby. Having worked with adobe as much as I have in New Mexico I  was always interested in the "next step" of firing the bricks. Here is what we found: