The Adobe ADU’s project is a forthcoming design/build initiative aimed at providing affordable, low-carbon footprint, site-built ADU’s for Tucson’s Historic Barrios and beyond. Throughout the American Southwest, the problems of water shortages, record-high temperatures and rising housing costs are real. Designers and engineers across every industry are faced with mounting challenges for the future. This project begins to unpack some of these issues by combining compressed earth block technology with sustainable building systems to create a housing prototype for desert dwellers of the future. Through the development of pre-approved building plans, we hope to streamline the procurement process for the owner/builder.