Heritage and Evolution- Earthen Architecture in New Mexico and Beyond
Preservationist,Professor Francisco Uvina Contreras, will present his lecture - “Heritage and Evolution- Earthen Architecture in New Mexico and Beyond”, including images, on May 22 at 5PM at San Miguel Chapel. The lecture will focus on the development of earthen architecture in the Americas, and how adobe became the material of choice during the colonization. A brief description of the use of adobe in Peru, Mexico and the Southwest United States will be presented with a focus on the evolution of the technology to its present use, and application, as well as its transformation, and modern additives detrimental to its traditional use. Suggested donation, $10.00.
Francisco Uviña Contreras is the Director for the Historic Preservation and Regionalism Graduate Certificate Program at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of New Mexico. He received his Master of Architecture and a master’s Certificate in Preservation and Regionalism in 2009 from the University of New Mexico, graduating with distinction. Francisco was an Architectural/Technical Manager at Cornerstones from 1994 to 2008, working in communities throughout New Mexico, the Southwest and northern Mexico. He is the co-author and illustrator of Cornerstones’ Adobe Conservation, A Preservation Handbook.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
The lecture is sponsored by Cornerstones Community Partnerships and coincides with Historic Preservation Month and the Adobe Brick-Making events at the Chapel.
This event has been organized with the cooperation of St. Michael’s High School and the De la Salle Christian Brothers, owners and custodians of San Miguel Chapel since 1881.
For additional information, please contact Karen Kuranz at kkuranz@cstones.org or call 505-982-9521.
Adobe Brick-Making Event
On Saturday, May 4, Cornerstones’ staff and volunteers gathered at the Drury Plaza Hotel, east end of Cathedral Park, to make adobe bricks for future preservation projects. Folks from many areas as well as local Santa Feans got their hands muddy and enjoyed getting to know one another. The event continues at the Drury Plaza on May 11 and at San Miguel Chapel on May 18 and 25 from 9:30am until 1pm. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. For more information contact kkuranz@cstones.org or call 505-982-9521.
Rael Acequia Restoration
The Wellesley Village Church Youth Group from Wellesley, MA. volunteered on several Cornerstones’ projects in April 2019. They returned to Santa Fe for their 7th volunteer experience! Below are pictures of the group cleaning the Rael acequia and a comment from partiantes, Carol Cooper and Keir Carreccio, about their hard work.
“Many thanks, Jake, for your leadership on the ditch cleaning project. The ‘kids’ and their leaders are great people and incredible workers. And they are part of history…the 301st year of the Alonzo Rael el Canon’s acequia. He would be so happy!”
Please consider volunteering your time or donating to help support our goal of preserving historic structures, encouraging traditional building practices and affirming cultural values.http://www.cstones.org. Thank you!
