Historic Resources Committee

A property owner is going to ask the Santa Fe city council for permission to relocate three small (1,200 sf) adobe structures. I know, sounds unreasonable.  They are trying to set up a particular real estate transaction and want to clear this additional parcel of land.

Does anyone know of successful relocation of structures built of unburned adobe with no bond beam at roof bearing?  Contacts?  Many in the community fear that the buildings will be destroyed in the process.


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Victor Johnson AIA
Victor Johnson Architect LLC
Santa Fe NM
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Yes, I was involved in a study for a similarly sized adobe last year. No decision has been reached but I can report on a couple of ideas and findings. This was done with Michael Krakower Assoc., structural engineers, and Eagle Restorations Group, general contractors, two very experienced firms in adobe work in California. 

The steel bracing structure required to move the building was massive and extremely expensive, but do-able. There was still a considerable amount of adobe rebuilding once moved, especially around the base of the building.

Here's the other alternative considered:The most generic, replaceable part of the building is the adobe itself. Disassemble the original building, and before and during disassembly studiously document and salvage every bit of non-adobe material (timber frames, doors and windows, wooden roof structures, etc.) for restoration and re-use. Document the adobe itself. Rebuild at the new site with new adobe made to match, and reinstalling all the salvaged parts and pieces. 

This may seem risky. (So is trying to move one.) I have built adobe historic reconstruction from the ground up, and am proficient at documenting and reverse-engineering historic structures, so I was comfortable with the approach.

Of course while building the new adobe walls bond beams and other improvements can be buried.

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Joseph Catalano AIA
Joseph Catalano AIA
Sierra Madre CA
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Joe Browning AIA
Ellis Browning Architects
Santa Fe NM
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Dear Vic:
I remember an adobe home relocation years ago (at least 20+) from the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Washington.  I believe it was moved by Joe Schepps who was a builder at that time.  He may have  a better recollection and I know he is serious about preservation.  Contact him at Schepps Management 983-9136.

Victor,
We have an old adobe structure in Napa that we have also discussed the possibility of relocating as well.  A general contractor based in Napa with experience in restoration of historic places said it could be done (I think he may have done it before).  His name is Gary Linowski with Treeline Construction.  I suggest you email Gary and let him know that I referred you.  email: treelineconst@sbcglobal.net 
Gary recently finished work at the historic Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite National Park.  I have worked with him and he comes highly recommended by others.
Good luck with your adobes.
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Stephen Cuddy AIA, LEED AP BD+C
MCA Architecture
President of Napa County Landmarks, Inc.
Napa CA
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