Exploring SuperAdobe at Plenitud PR
Since its inception, Plenitud PR has strived for more sustainable, ecological, and healthier ways of living, full of gratitude and love. In this process, we find ways to connect more deeply with the natural rhythms of the world. Nader Khalili, the founding architect of The California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (better known as Cal-Earth), had a similar vision when he first started working with earth in order to develop SuperAdobe construction. SuperAdobe--a type of bio-construction-- has become one of the few modern techniques for building safe, structurally-sound, long-lasting structures from sustainable materials to shelter ourselves in times of climatic disasters. For the last 10 years, Plenitud PR has been leading the movement in teaching this style of architecture to provide safer, more reliable housing for people in Puerto Rico.
“Due to the increasing threat of hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and other effects of global climate change, our archipelago’s population is very vulnerable.”
Model house of a SuperAdobe Dome at Plenitud PR built in 2018, combined with bamboo roof structure.
Earlier this year, Plenitud hosted an Intensive Professional Training in SuperAdobe, giving 10 student participants hands-on experience and education in the basic principles of this medium. We walked through the theory, process and practice by diving into the architectural design of a SuperAdobe dome-styled structure, and then built one together on the farm. It was such an awesome and powerful experience to be working on this together as a team! Even though we had to keep the group number small to maintain social distancing and an effective “bubble,” we still had an amazing time and learned so much together.
To share more about this experience, and give you some insight into SuperAdobe construction at Plenitud, I thought I would share a bit more about the design theory and process of building a SuperAdobe dome. As a member of Plenitud’s bioconstruction team focused on developing safe housing, this is my passion! First, let’s start with the basic building block of any dome-style SuperAdobe structure: the arch.
The Arch
Throughout history, the arch has been an important part of architecture and engineering, used in the construction of bridges, aqueducts, and some of the most important cathedrals in the world. The arch is one of the strongest shapes because of its capacity to displace structural loads across its form. Using a house as a reference, we can see how an arched roof can displace weight more efficiently while also being economical in its use of space, reducing any dead-space areas that would otherwise be there when having a flat roof. Plus, less material is needed to build a more stable structure.
Structural comparison between three roofs: flat, triangular, arched. 1. Despite being the most common, flat roofs are not the most efficient to build. Over time, the start to bend and deform due to the constant force of gravity, its own weight, and the accumulation of rain water. 2. Triangular roof shapes are very common in vernacular Puerto Rican architecture. They displace loads at an angle which reduce the stress on the element, and can be converted in lofts to maximize space usage. 3. Arches are a step further to triangular roofs, they displace weight even more efficiently. They uses their own gravitational pull to strengthen the overall structure. 4. Photos from the Professional Training in SuperAdobe where arches are used. Illustrations by: Jose Martinez; Photos by Shalomir Gierbolini
The Dome
If you search “SuperAdobe” online, you will find many images that show dome-shaped structures. This is for a good reason! A dome can be defined as an arch that has been rotated 360 degrees on its central axis.
What does this mean, structurally speaking? The entire structure benefits from the same weight-displacement properties of an arch; the dome can withstand great pressures and loads by displacing the weight evenly across its entire surface. Additionally, the “earthbags” that constitute the main building materials are filled with earth, which make them very heavy and less vulnerable to uplift in high hurricane winds. The circular structure of the dome, being wider at the bottom than the top, makes SuperAdobe homes not oscillate from side to side in an earthquake and have a larger capacity to displace seismic loads, making them ideal for environments where earthquakes are common.
It’s easy to see why domes are being hailed as fast and reliable solutions for housing insecurity in Puerto Rico and other places around the world that are already being affected by global climate change.
Aesthetically, domes present a new and refreshing break from the mundane concrete boxes that make up the majority of Puerto Rican architecture. The shape is very flexible and accommodating and with a bit of geometric creativity, you can design almost any combination of rooms, heights, sizes, and shapes.
Participants from the Professional Training in SuperAdobe filling the bags with a mix of earth and cement.
With SuperAdobe, you always create a beautiful, natural, energy-efficient and safe space-- all of which can contribute to a happier, more harmonious life.
SuperAdobe in Puerto Rico
SuperAdobe is still a very new concept in Puerto Rico and around the world, but Plenitud PR has worked hard to promote SuperAdobe as a sustainable housing alternative and a reliable solution for the housing crisis. Because it is so new, there are not yet any real regulations on SuperAdobe construction, which means it is that much more difficult to build consistently and efficiently. However, Plenitud PR is committed to this sustainable, safe, and cost-effective technology and sharing it with as many people as possible to make sustainable housing a reality for more Puerto Ricans. From the recent success of our Professional Training workshop to the new dome on the farm and more, we have seen over and over again how impactful this technology is and can be.
I want to thank all the participants that came to the farm this winter to take part in this hands-on learning experience. We worked hard, learned a lot, and in the end came away with a renewed commitment to working in harmony with the earth--in our homes, our work, our relationships, and more. I feel so grateful to have been part of this experience, and I hope one day soon, the people of Puerto Rico will have the experience of living in one of these ecological buildings themselves.
