Citrus College 1

This project innovates on top of the humble adobe brick. It builds on millennia of tried-and-true Southwest building materials and methods to produce contemporary walls for residential use constructed from an innovative adobe-composite building block. The material offers an effective, low-cost solution to the increasing demands of climate change by promising a thermal barrier that maintains constant internal room temperatures through winter and summer. The pioneering mixture based on ancient adobe methods contains 50% soil, 30% sand, 10% hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide), 5% water, and 5% sisal fiber. Testing in Mexico City demonstrates sufficient strength to withstand at least a 7.1 earthquake. Additional testing will be done for strength and durability, as well as thermal transmission. Next steps: 1) solicit CA State review of the construction material and method; and 2) amend LA building codes to allow the use of adobe wall systems in construction that use such an advanced materials method.

Faculty Lead:
Tommy Reyes

Students:
Manuel Zepeda, Hannah Spaulding, Ghadah Alobaidi, Katie Francis, Aaron Aguilar Glavan, Diego Sanchez, Alexia Jimenez, Cameron Mcdowell, Jonathan Johnson, Lucy Zurita, Joshua Tobar, James McMahon, Celine Ama, Kacey Infante, Kayleen Vargas, Melina Barrios, Gavin Fuentes, Juliana Morales, Coy Gokey

Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 2: Buildings and infrastructure that support human health and resilience.

Premiere Segment

Pitch deck

Group photo