Adobe is a cost-effective and sustainable building material commonly used in dry climates such as Latin America, Africa, and Southern Europe. However, its viability in cold, wet climates like New England remains uncertain. This research project helps explore the adobe’s potential for new construction in New England. We examine its structural ability, moisture content, and insulation properties through hot, humid conditions in the summertime and wet, freezing conditions in the wintertime. We aim to determine whether adobe can provide an affordable yet aesthetically pleasing solution in rapidly changing conditions. By doing daily testing with the dataloggers, we aim to increase the amount of data gathered to help develop more methods and enhance the adobe’s performance in its non-traditional climate. The preliminary results show that this material could promote eco-friendly and affordable construction as well as open new possibilities for Architecture and Construction firms in these cold climates.
