Here in New Mexico we all have familiarity with the term “adobe,” and would not bat an eyelash in consideration of purchasing a home constructed from this natural resource.  However, talk to a potential home buyer from anywhere besides the South West and you may get varying reactions: interest, confusion, or maybe even horror (okay, perhaps that’s an exaggeration…).  What most people don’t know is that adobe and adobe bricks are a durable, insulating, organic building material dating back centuries that can even increase a home’s real estate value.

Adobe is composed of the most basic materials.  It is the Spanish word for mud brick and is made from sand, clay, water and a fibrous material, usually being sticks or straw.  These bricks date back thousands of years and were created by indigenous peoples located in the South West, Mesoamerica and the Andes of South America.  What is remarkable about this material is that they are incredibly durable as well as insulating.

Because of their greater thermal mass, adobes have an elevated R-factor depending on the density of the materials.  And when used

to form a wall designed to trap solar energy (a “Trombe wall”) they deliver a green-energy one-two punch.  An architectural element designed by French engineer Félix Trome and Jacques Michel in the 60’s, a Trombe wall is an adobe brick wall built on the winter sun side of a structure.  The brick wall is found on the internal side of the home, and on the external side, a transparent glass window in front of the wall.  Through the winter day the sun shines through the glass, heating up the adobe bricks.  Then, during the night, the bricks slowly release heat into the home.  This is an ingenious design that doesn’t require any cogs, mechanisms or electricity and is completely environmentally clean.

Due to its sustainable and aesthetically pleasing characteristics, data shows that homes with adobe bricks are more valuable than homes without.  For example, according to the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors® over the course of year as of July 30, 2014 homes with adobe materials sold for an average of $122.05 per square foot with an average sales price of $299,538.  Compare that to non-adobes that averaged $100.89 per square foot and an average sales price of $198,180.

The Sugar Team is proud to have a home on the market that perfectly illustrates the concept of adobe bricks and the use of passive solar in a Trombe wall.  Located at 8301 4th ST NW in the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, this home showcases many other gorgeous South West features, including soaring tongue and groove ceilings, corbels, kiva fireplace, talavera tile and brick floors.  Call The Sugar Team (505) 850-9977 to arrange a private showing and don’t miss the virtual tour: