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ADOBE: THE COSMIC SOLUTION

October 10, 2018
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by Bill Otwell, Otwell Associates Architects

NASA just held a design competition for prototype Mars habitats. 

Two of the four finalists used regolith, the layer of dust and rocks that covers the surface of a planet. It is basically Martian adobe. The inspiration for this concept is adobe construction here on Earth, where about 30 percent of the population lives in earth-made houses. 

Today, architects are using adobe as a very important component of sustainable design.  The obvious advantage of using on-site material on Mars (instead of sending up a load of 2x4s and concrete blocks on a rocket) is also a sustainable approach on Earth. Onsite production of adobe eliminates transportation cost and most material cost. 

A small percentage of the mix is asphalt emulsion to waterproof adobe blocks (1 to 9 gallons of water, added to the soil on-site). Once the material is mixed into mud and placed in forms, the curing is provided by sunlight, a solar powered manufacturing process.

Once the blocks are cured, they are laid into a wall with the same mud for mortar. On Mars, the material will most likely be printed in 3D. Exterior surfaces require some ridged foam insulation and cement stucco or other siding material.  Interior finishes can be adobe plaster without the asphalt, paint or even exposed adobe. Walls are usually 16-inch thick and provide a very quiet interior space. 

When used with other sustainable techniques such as double- or triple-glazed south facing windows, locally sourced beetle-kill lumber and recycled steel roofing, a very comfortable environment can be created to provide low maintenance, low operating costs, rainwater collection, and use of solar energy stored in the adobe for heating.

The adobe home is one of the most sustainable habitats for any space traveler.

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Come & enjoy the local scene in Prescott Arizona!

Prescott Living Magazine

16 hours ago

Prescott Living Magazine
OUT & ABOUT — Thank you to Karen Shaw for sending in these shots of Jerome and the San Francisco Peaks on a beautiful winter day! We publish reader photos in every issue of Prescott LIVING. Send in your best shots by email to photos@roxco.com. Photos should be taken by you, anywhere in the Greater Prescott area. Selected photos will appear in print and on our social media channels.#jeromeaz #prescott #northernaz #sanfranciscopeaks ... See MoreSee Less

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Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett will read a proclamation in memory of Dr. Billie Orr on Wednesday, Feb. 1st at 1:15 p.m. on the Senate floor. The session will be livestreamed at www.azleg.gov/liveproceedings. Here is the text of the proclamation. . . . Recognition In Memory of Dr. Billie OrrWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served the citizens of Prescott on the City Council from 2015 until 2021 and during that time as mayor Pro Tempore from 2017 until 2020; andWHEREAS, she was a member and past President of the Republican Women of Prescott; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr Founded the Mayor’s Commission on Well-Being for the City of Prescott; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served as City Council Liaison for several City Boards and Commissions during her tenure as Councilmember; and WHEREAS, she served as a Board Member of Arizona Town Hall, Prescott Western Heritage Foundation and Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr was an active Rotarian, serving on Rotary Clubs in the Phoenix area and in Prescott; and WHEREAS, she was a big fan of pickleball and helped Prescott Build outdoor courts for its citizens; andWHEREAS, prior to her service in Prescott, Dr. Billie Orr was active in Arizona education for more than twenty-five years; and WHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served the citizens of Arizona as Arizona’s Associate Superintendent of Public Instruction; andWHEREAS, under her leadership, Arizona created state academic standards that were ranked among the best in the nation; andWHEREAS, in earlier years she taught in the Madison District in Phoenix and was the Principal of Kiva School in Scottsdale; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr was a dedicated and longtime public servant to the citizens of Arizona who brought a positive and caring aspect to her service, inspiring many who worked with her; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr will be greatly missed by her many friends in Prescott and throughout Arizona; andNOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to her husband Bob, their children and grandchildren and all family members.. . . ... See MoreSee Less

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