Cob Building
Cob is a natural building material made from subsoil, water, fibrous organic material (typically straw), and sometimes lime. This ancient technique creates durable, sculptural structures with excellent thermal mass properties.
Material Components
- Clay-rich Subsoil (20-30% clay)
- Sand (for structural strength)
- Straw (adds tensile strength)
- Water (for proper consistency)
- Optional: Lime (for wet climates)
Building Process
Key steps in cob construction:
- Soil Testing and Material Preparation
- Foundation Construction
- Mixing Cob
- Wall Building
- Sculpting Features
- Weather Protection
Advantages
Benefits of cob construction include:
- Low environmental impact
- Fire-resistant properties
- Excellent thermal mass
- Creative design possibilities
- Community-friendly building process
- Durability (structures can last centuries)