Northern New Mexico College’s summer 2010 semester begins on Monday, June 7, 2010. Online summer registration opened on April 12th and will remain open until June 3rd, 2010.

We are trying something a little different this summer  – our first annual SUMMER ADOBE ACADEMY. The idea is to offer a series of intensive, hands-on adobe classes over a continuous 4-week period every summer. You can sign up for individual classes or the entire academy. This summer’s academy is made up of the following 3 classes:

• CONS 158 – 101 – Foundation Theory and Construction (2 credits)
  CRN: 30736 – June 7 – June 13, 2010 – Instructor: Kirk Higbee
• ADOB 100 – 101 – Adobe Construction Basics (3 credits)
  CRN: 30737 – June 14 – June 27, 2010 – 3 credits – Instructor: Kirk Higbee
• ADOB 111 – 101 – Horno Design and Construction (1 credit)
  CRN: 30743 – June 28 – July 4, 2010 – 1 credit – Instructor: Kurt Gardella

For the first two classes we are in the process of securing a hands-on project in Northern New Mexico. This project is still tentative but here is what we are envisioning: the foundation class will lay out and install a foundation in the first week of the academy. We are hoping to get a permit for a rubble trench foundation for this project. Following the one-week FOUNDATION class, the two-week ADOBE CONSTRUCTION BASICS class will use the foundation installed in week 1 as a starting point and build a small adobe structure (mud brick walls, window and door openings with lintels, wood bond beam) and rough finish the structure with a common New Mexican style roof if time allows. This is a great chance to work on a small adobe structure from start to finish. In the final week of the academy (week 4) students will have the opportunity to design and build an horno (earth oven) for a family in the El Rito area. Registration is limited to 12 participants per class so please reserve your spot early.