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Adobeisnotsoftware is the earthen education and advocacy arm of Terrain - a California-based architecture firm that specializes in adaptive reuse, high-performance workplace, technical environments. We believe in the extraordinary potential of ordinary things.

Upcoming Workshops

Featured
Introduction to Adobe – 1/2-Day Intensive
Introduction to Adobe – 1/2-Day Intensive

IN-PERSON AT YVML
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2026 - 9AM - 1PM

This field workshop is a condensed introduction to adobe block and construction taught in a single pleasant morning at YUCCA VALLEY MATERIALS LAB in Yucca Valley, California.

→ REGISTER AT YVML

Horno Building – 3-Day Intensive
Horno Building – 3-Day Intensive

IN-PERSON AT YVML
MAY 15, 16 & 17, 2026 - 9AM - 4PM

This three-day class is an intensive introduction to building your own earthen oven taught over a single weekend at YUCCA VALLEY MATERIALS LAB in Yucca Valley, California. Earthen ovens are inexpensive to build, fun to use, and provide a baking environment impossible to recreate in the kitchen. Attendees will leave the class with the knowledge necessary to build an oven of their own, with materials that you may already have in your yard.

→ REGISTER AT YVML

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Introduction to Adobe – 1/2-Day Intensive

IN-PERSON IN PIONEERTOWN, CA
SUNDAY, June 7, 2026 - 9AM - 1PM

This field workshop is a condensed introduction to adobe block and construction taught in a single pleasant morning in Pioneertown, California.

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Introduction to Adobe – 1/2-Day Intensive

IN-PERSON IN PIONEERTOWN, CA
SUNDAY, September 27, 2026 - 9AM - 1PM

This field workshop is a condensed introduction to adobe block and construction taught in a single pleasant morning in Pioneertown, California.

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Working to educate, enable, and advance adobe construction in California.

More About Us

The Latest Dirt

Ben Loescher and Lucy Lloyd of Adobeisnotsoftware (and @terrain.la_) chatted with @archrecordmag’s @designed.podcast about our championing of adobe block construction, as well as Terrain’s process of upcycling buildings and challenging st
Did you know that in addition to our in-person workshops, we also offer a variety of online, self-paced, AIA accredited courses on our website? Now you do 🤠 #aiacredits #continuingeducation #earthenarchitecture
We are proud to have collaborated with noted artist William Tyler Morgan on the construction of his adobe installation this fall. Featured as part of the Joshua Tree Triennial, this installation uses traditional earthen construction as a frame to rec
Discuss
A few months ago we hosted @ucdavisdesign students on a field trip centered around earthen building. The trip was supported by the Green Initiative Fund (@tgifatucdavis), and took place in and around Pioneertown, where we visited different types of e
We had a great time presenting at the Net Zero Conference in Los Angeles! Thanks to Ruben Zuniga @plinthbuildco for joining us, and to @verdicalgroup for facilitating an excellent conference! 🧱
Making great progress on our adobe sculptural collaboration with noted artist William Tyler Morgan for the forthcoming Joshua Tree Triennial. Stay tuned for updates! BIG thanks to our volunteers: @david.s.hill @exploringeric @tcbleatherco @dgiudic
Lucy and Ben are speaking at this year’s Net Zero Conference. Hosted by @verdicalgroup Group at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 1st, this event will feature global sustainability experts in Climate, Net Zero, ESG, Equity, Carbon, a