By Casey Callais 11/18/2016 — One of the most well-known truths in the history of construction is that the arch is one of the strongest figures in architecture. This week we built our first window and utilized the power of the arch to create it.

That and a tire.

Community members from El Triunfo joined us in building the first of seven round windows at the school in El Jicarito. In doing so we worked together to develop several techniques and tools to help us build better and faster. One of which is that stiff wooden “flag” standing up on the left side of the wall. It’s a sort of level that we place on the flat side of each section of the arch to make sure the plane passes though the center of the tire, therefore giving us a clean curve.

In the end, however, it’s dirt, water and sweat that fills the bags and places them where they need to be.

This school has been and will be a catalyst for education, truly defining what it means to learn from the building and learn in the building.

We are posting regular updates about the project as construction continues. In the meantime we are offering an amazing deal for people who are interested in this project. Donate to help buy whiteboards, desks, computers, etc. and receive Knitknot’s architectural plans, Precision Structural Engineering’s structural design (compliant with the 2012 International Building Code), Seeds of Learning’s complete construction report AND a 2-hour phone call with the Seeds of Learning team. This is ideal for anyone who is interested in building their own superadobe project and the money goes to cover school supplies and resources.