Taking Earth-based Construction to the Next Level with Superadobe

Hueyapan is a village in the Mexican state of Morelos that was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in September 2017. Homes in the region are often created from an earth-based material called Adobe, and more recently an improved variant dubbed Superadobe. The material consists of soil compacted with organic materials such as hay, corn stalks and manure. It is amongst the oldest building materials in the world, but Superadobe is taking homes constructed from earth to a new level. 

 

Like Adobe, Superadobe is earth-based, economical and keeps houses cool, but crucially it is also earthquake resistant. This improved form is also manufactured from earth and organic materials, but lime is introduced to the mixture in order to fortify it. Structures start with polypropylene bags filled with the mixture and the house walls are then caked with three layers of dirt, lime, ground grasses and horse manure. A roof can be as simple as a temporary tarpaulin, or a more permanent structure of clay tiles. 

 

Superadobe was designed by Iranian-American architect Nader Khalili, who was inspired by ancient structures in harsh environments such as deserts. He first proposed ‘earthbag construction’ in 1984 at a Nasa symposium, where participants were tasked with sharing ideas of ways to build on the Moon and Mars, using only onsite materials.  

 

Benefits of Superadobe homes: 

• Easy to construct. 

• Can be built almost anywhere. 

• Cost-effective to produce. 

• Can be built in an infinite range of shapes and sizes.

 

One downside to Adobe and Superadobe is that it can take a relatively long time to build a home with it, when compared to more traditional materials such as concrete. Depending on the weather, it can take up to 

three months to mix materials and compact them with the help of horses. 

 

These self-build methods are in stark contrast to those used here in the UK. Here we are fortunate to benefit from a relatively strong economy and a climate largely free from catastrophic natural disasters.  

 

Typical construction methods include: 

• Brick and Block - A traditional outer layer of brick with an inner block structure of concrete. 

• Timber Frame - A wooden frame superstructure backed with a layer of sheeted timber. 

• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) - A cost-effective and energyefficient method of building using highly insulated wall and roof panels. 

• Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) - A fast method of building that makes use of a mould created from hollow polystyrene blocks into which ready-mixed concrete is poured. 

 

When undertaking any self build project, it is essential that the right self build insurance is in place to protect your site from potential hazards such as damage and theft. ProAktive Self build developed the first UK self build insurance policy in 1984 and have been the industry leaders ever since. Their staff are self build experts who are happy to discuss your self build project and insurance requirements. If you are building a new structure, extending your home or converting or renovating something more unusual, they are able to provide guidance on the risks faced and how to protect them. ProAktive Self build is part of the ProAktive Group who are leading insurance brokers in the North of England, enjoying an enviable reputation for quality and customer service. They pride themselves on offering an excellent service to self builders and are committed to helping people ensure their project is a success. 

 

 

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