CalEarth SuperAdobe
Nader Khalili and Cal-Earth Institute, engineered by P.J. Vittore
Developed by CalEarth, SuperAdobe is a building system made from moistened earth-filled sandbags arranged in layers or long coils to build walls.
SuperAdobe is a rammed earth building system developed by CalEarth that uses long or short sandbags (filled with moistened earth) and arranges them in layers or long coils to build shelters or landscaping retaining walls. Strands of barbed wire are placed between each layer of sandbag to act as both mortar and reinforcement. The system is free to use for non-commercial construction and the bags are available for purchase.
Global. According to CalEarth, SuperAdobe is most appropriate for use in arid and desert environments but can be built in cold or wet climates with additional design considerations.
CalEarth has participated in many relief initiatives and their system has been implemented by several organizations including Small Earth and the Heliotrope Foundation’s Konbit Shelter.
SuperAdobe bags cost between 1,150 – 1,180 USD for a 1,000-yard roll depending on the width of the bag. Barbed wire and other required tools must be obtained separately. 250 and 500 yard rolls are also available.
Primary competitors in the field include other earth bag manufacturers (provided by CalEarth) and different earthen construction systems, such as the compressed earth block from Dwell Earth.
Another source that promotes earthbag construction is EarthbagBuilding.com, a resource of information provided by Kelly Hart and Dr. Owen Geiger. They share methods from multiple sources but do not sell bags.
Target implementers include untrained individuals because the construction requires no expensive equipment and is flexible and fast. According to the manufacturer, it is possible to build alone or as a group and for all members of a household to participate.