ABSTRACT
The chapel of Santa María belongs to the hacienda with the same name. It is built in the 18th century. It is an example of earth architecture of Chihuhuense desert. It is built with adobe walls, closed by a flat ceiling in carved woodwork. The chapel present a single nave, ended topped in polygonal apse. The chapel was restored in 1984 with cement—sand covering, which interferes with the adobe’s behavior, avoiding its transpiration. This treatment produces detachment of the coating, due to lack of adhesion and accumulation of moisture. These effects are causing major damages in the building. A preliminary photographic analysis is performed, for the description of the materials and damages. Later on, an architectural survey carried out through laser scanner, in order to get the point cloud and twodimensional planes. Actually this information is nonexistent. All this information allows to evaluate the status of the temple.
