Adobe bricks have been used to build houses, places of worship, and other structures throughout the world for thousands of years. These bricks have been in continuous use in Taos, New Mexico for generations. A great number of structures world wide are still standing, and though most have been brought up to date with regards to sanitation and kitchen amenities, they are equally as spectacular as the day they were first occupied. In fact, the style that is produced using adobe is so interesting, and so much a part of the way of life, that Taos homes for sale include both old historical structures and new construction still using adobe bricks for their style and versatility.

Adobe (made of sand, soil, straw and water), and other manifestations of this construction material, such as “pressed block” and “rammed earth” remains popular throughout New Mexico, as well as throughout the country. The reality is, the earliest use actually goes back to about 8000 BC and was used by the earliest man to produce shelters as a means of protection from the weather.

Structures dating as early as 1300 BC still stand in Egypt, while earthen structures were built across much of Europe in many forms. In fact the Great Wall of China is constructed of earthen materials and portions of it have been standing for 2000 years. While adobe, in its purest form, is found mainly in drier parts of the country due to an inability to withstand wet weather, variations make it possible for these structures to withstand even the wettest, rainiest climates.

When Europeans immigrated to the United States, many brought their old building techniques with them. In fact, many of the first colonists assembled earth dwellings, rather than using logs or wood, when they arrived. Some of those buildings are still standing in states such as Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and New York.

The use of adobe was not allowed by building rules in many states after the lumber and brick industries became prevalent. However, restrictions are being lifted as the green movement has proven that variations of earthen materials are in fact quite eco-friendly, and offer additional advantages in the process. Earthen structures are fire retardant, termite resistant, and economical to create. They stand up well in earthquakes, are sound proof, and lower power utilization for both cooling and heating.

The Pueblo, the oldest continuously occupied Taos property, built approximately 1000 years ago, houses a cluster of buildings made of adobe. The Pueblo consists of adobe houses, still home to 15 families, as well as the San Esteban del Rey Mission Church that was built in 1640.

New Taos properties continue to be constructed of earthen materials, but include environmentally friendly features such as passive solar construction which can lower energy consumption by approximately 60% in hot arid areas such as Taos, New Mexico. Because making adobe bricks is labor intensive, professional home construction can be costly. There are however, many Taos properties known as “homes of love” because they are built brick by brick by the home owners and as a result are each unique works of art in a city that is also known as an art colony in the high desert of New Mexico.

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