Modern Off-Grid Cob House Built With Sand, Clay & Straw - Sustainable Green Building Tour

Off-grid cob house + Go to NordVPN.com/ex... and use code EXPLORINGALTERNATIVES to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!
The Stoltz Bluff Eco-Retreat is a monolithic cob house that’s completely off-grid. It has a 1-kilowatt solar power system and a backup generator for electricity, a propane radiant in-floor heating system and a Rumford fireplace for heat, and a constructed wetland for natural wastewater treatment. Most cob homes are built with a timber frame structure, and the cob - a mixture of sand, clay, and straw - is used to create the walls. This home is quite different because it’s a structural cob house, so the 2-foot thick walls are load-bearing, and they support the weight of the roof.
Since it was built in a seismic zone, the home had to be engineered and built to withstand earthquakes. It was built with curved walls to strengthen the structure, as well as with airplane cables that connect the wall plate to the foundation in order to resist lateral forces.
Tonya and Leon built started to build this home in 2010 with the goal of creating a retreat where people could experience and learn about natural building techniques. They worked unbelievably hard on the build itself, using their evenings, weekends, and holidays to construct it. They also worked closely with an engineer and with their municipality to ensure the structure would be legally permitted.
The modern interior living space is approximately 1,000 square feet in size with an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room, as well as 2 bedrooms, a mechanical room, and a bathroom. The retreat has been shared with visitors for nearly 10 years and will soon become a full-time home for its new owners.
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to KZbin.
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Photo Credits:
Photos of the build provided by Tonya and Leon
#cobhouse #greenbuilding #naturalbuilding

[@kbtz6721]

I love seeing people take alternative building and make it into something to show people it can be used for a more standard style of architecture instead of just tiny homes or something more niche

[@kevinwells4986]

I agree with you. I love seeing the tiny homes videos. This is also so relevant to our future though as well. Personally I'd like living in this structure more than a tiny home, but at this point I'd probably take about anything... lol. Reaching retirement age very quickly. But I love this channel, and this was such a great video.

[@ljubomir021]

For me tiny homes are fine until there are kids. I have a small child and i couldnt see it happening even with best organisation of space. This looks like a couzy solution for family od 3, even 4

[@soaruk3697]

@@kevinwells4986 I just love it when people say 800ft square is a 'tiny' home - having lived in houses of that size most of my life in the UK and Europe - one assume you are from the USA?

[@kevinwells4986]

@ Soar UK - I know your point S.UK, but I don't know where I told you I was in an 800 sq ft 'cabin'. In any case I'm in an 8' by 25' trailer now since the home was reflagged after the big fire here, and I've never lived in a trailer before. Since I 'started out' in Laguna Beach, in a 4 story home, you can see the progression is not working so well for me. But, I do love the efficiency of these tiny homes. BTW, I've been to Japan so many times (as my employer was there), and have many Japanese friends - it may be tight where you are, but you ought to see some of their apartments. I just hope we can all stay dry. Take care, happy covid-time.

[@jameswright3972]

Exactly

[@guy8646]

I love this but we need more videos that delve into how you install electricity and how you deal with any repairs and problems when everything is buried behind the cob. Thanks.

[@marcellogenovese199]

It would be a massive pain in the ass. You put the wiring/plumbing in the walls as you build it up. The alternative route would be running conduit housing on the face of the walls, which looks industrial and probably why they didn't so that. I guess you just really need to plan ahead.

[@msthing]

exactly - maintenance question looms large

[@corylannon8546]

I would imagine you consolidate plugs/outlets to one or two heights in your design. If it were me, I would lay 2 or 3 inch electrical conduit down around the entire home in all the walls with T joints spaced for whatever i would need. Then you could snake all power/data lines through relatively easy and you can always replace cable or run new stuff down the road.

[@musyoka8]

True.

[@danilles.4247]

Check out This Cob House on youtube, his channel shows all the steps in building a cob house

[@shellbellexx3]

Oh my goodness! What an impressively smart design. This home is absolutely gorgeous and has such a peaceful flow. You can tell how well thought out the design is. Love this home 😍

[@janethastings193]

Every year the weather gets worse .....I live in Norfolk VA. We had a earthquake in 2011 a small one but it difinantly got my attention ! This is what the future of housing looks like.

[@32fps]

Dunno how to tell you this, but earthquakes are not related to climate change. The earthquake in VA was just a rare but not impossible event. I lived in VA when it happened. Ironically I live in CA now and have been through numerous earthquakes. They're not worse/more abundant because of climate change, they exist because this entire state is on fault lines.

[@janethastings193]

@@32fps Matthew 24: 6&7

[@janethastings193]

@@32fps at the time maybe it was rare. We are going to have another one. To have any...means we are on a fault line....we will have another one.

[@jennystrohmeyerspiritstories]

What material is the floor made of?

[@michalviktorin6758]

It is nice, but I like cob buildings which has scuptures on facade even more. Also fire place you use is archaic and thefore not that effective. Also seeing greenhouse and making it a kind of earthship would be nicer.

[@leongaber5634]

Thanks so much everyone for the comments. I've really enjoyed reading through each one. Building this home has been a hard, amazing, crazy adventure for Tonya and I.

[@footballfactory8797]

How much would a cob house like this cost? It’s amazing :)

[@iamaku09]

you did an amazing job. well done

[@arialblack87]

I love the whole house, but that floor! It is absolutely stunning! How durable and easy/hard to maintain is it?

[@rahelapuscas8518]

How much did it cost to build the house?

[@Pilot333]

And blessings to the birth of the new one coming.

[@jenniferdowney3674]

What is the most interesting to me is that bio septic system! That is worth a whole video on it’s own.

[@justalora2896]

100% agree!!!

[@trades9943]

There is a plethora of literature on it. If you access to a university library that's best

[@BigBirdy100]

Mosquitoes

[@susanfreeman5340]

@@BigBirdy100 small fish, humming birds & frogs take care of skeeters.

[@jnac8857]

This is one of the best cob house design I've seen on KZbin, it surely showcased the potential of cob as a future design material. Thanks so much!

[@TenerifeHorseRescue]

we just finished building a cob and stone house on our animal sanctuary in Tenerife. It was a 47-day project (with some breaks) and took 2-5 volunteers working on it. Completely sustainable, very good insulated.

[@JoshuaHumble-f6l]

Do you have a list of cost? I'm in Oregon and I'm tired of the clowns breaking up familys and separating and dividing the nation and sowing rifts between us all and it's getting worse every day. I'm wanting property and I want to build cheap using the land I will eventually own where I plan on building using Cobb logs rocks recycling renewing old stuff and blending with nature. I'm just getting started and I would really like it if you had any sort of advice for me and my family concerning? My name is Joshua humble and I'm in Oregon I apologize if I'm being rude or too up front. I'm not rich with money but I count my wealth in the family and friends that are family and the experience of life interaction between us. I'm going on 39 and I'm being completely and utterly drawn to building not just a home but a fully sustainable off grid terrace micro-farm home where I can build these tiny homes Cobb structures and house my loved ones and relieve them from the burden of paying for renting and raise cattle and poultry stuff like that and give kids generational wealth.

[@bevtrue6937]

Gorgeous house. The fireplace is divine, too.

[@Rose_Bride]

I'm not usually a fan of the raw, unfinished look of cob homes, but THIS is absolutely GORGEOUS. Not just the decor, but the actual design of the home interior itself is beautiful.

[@ivillu]

This is truly one of the most beautiful homes I've seen, that wall coming into the living space is amazing

[@kathyl5610]

Congratulations to the couple who built this beautiful and efficient little home and CONGRATULATIONS on the upcoming birth of their baby!

[@rmar127]

That rammed earth fireplace is a work of art.

[@oranjmusemeyer968]

Beautiful home- I think I would need more solar though.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

The 1 kw rating is probably the panel rating. Battery storage can be any size you want for heavier loads. The caveat being that the larger the battery storage, the longer it takes to charge when depleted.

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

They look like they’ve reduced their power needs to the point where they mostly are using solar power for lighting and the refrigerator. They did mention both a propane stove and passive solar design. I would wager that the water heater is probably also propane.

[@iteerrex8166]

All natural yet very clean modern looking. Well done.

[@traviscarver4708]

I’m wondering how much this cost to create. This does not seem affordable for the average man/woman looking to build an eco-friendly home on a budget but it’s super cool nonetheless.

[@AllisonReece]

I hope viewers are understanding this is the owners RETREAT home, not their everyday life out of home. They rent out this home and use it as a teaching tool. There is a difference.

[@beejereeno2]

Yep, and what a brilliant way to have a revenue stream. The house basically paid for itself after a few years, so it's almost pure profit to rent it out for weekends/etc. (not including supplies they stock in it)

[@AllisonReece]

@@beejereeno2 Yes, exactly! Smart couple.

[@emwiley5137]

This is one of my favorite cobs homes. It is so beautiful.

[@personalgrowthplace7202]

This is the MOST beautiful cob home I’ve seen! I would hire this woman to design mine if I could.

[@jocelynelangis777]

So impressive! I am almost out of words! Brlliant construction using the cob I would like a lot to see a full video on construction. Let’s be realistic you have to be a good engineer and hard worker. The wall make an intense connection between human an nature and the whole set up of the place is really beautiful and inviting. Congratulations for such a respectful construction. Thanks to Exploring Alternatives for opening our mind to new concept of living.

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks so much for your wonderful comment Jocelyne :)

[@2000coco]

@@ExploringAlternatives do they have their own channel? Love to see more of their construction journey and how they deal with issues/repairs that come up

[@سهمالهاجري]

@@ExploringAlternatives clay based plsster water proofs the house?

[@indiblossom]

How long did this build take start to finish?

[@indiblossom]

How much did it cost to build?

[@benjones8977]

I’m curious as to why the roof is flat, if it had been angled couldn’t you’ve gotten more solar panels? It seems like you would have trouble dispersing water also?

[@66alsmith]

The roof is designed to collect rain water, it’s mentioned early in the video

[@alexlarson833]

WOW!!!! That’s an incredible cob house! I can’t believe they built that with sand and clay. Congrats Tonya and Leon 👍👍👍

[@auhn4804]

This is very easy to built

[@robinpickelsimer7229]

This is my dream home! How did you know! Great job guys!

[@BanshanMarwein]

Truly stunning house. Loved the surrounding areas.

[@michelangelomerisi8398]

Beautiful house, off grid, but not so much alternative. So expensive, so so so expensive. Another world, i don't understand why it's here.

[@LockyDoesScience]

How do you run/install the electric through cob houses

[@1acrehomesteader43]

Wow, that is an awesome home. I love that design, very creative. The constructive wetlands is really thinking outside the box! 🏠 🏡

[@Transportia]

I appreciate this design which is more acceptable in most urban/suburban areas. You just can't build a happy little hobbit house if all the other houses in the neighborhood are more conventional. You won't get permitted. Save the sculptural elements for inside the house, and let it look a bit more modern on the outside. I do love those sculpted houses, but I'm much more interested in urbanizing the cob house movement rather than continuing to eat up all the land for my own personal dream estate. I'd very much like more videos on alternative urban building.

[@lapislazarus8899]

Beautiful home. I live in New Mexico (think Earthships) so cob, or Adobe, is a very common way of building out here. I love the fireplace wall, very creative.

[@triptishrestha1771]

In Nepal , we used to live in mud houses. But with modernization we have lost our values. Its now high time to revive them for us and our future generations.

[@Lighting_Desk]

What is it with Americans and every light on during the day...

[@JarrettOriginal]

These are Canadians... Also, the lights might be on for the video shoot, so that you can see more of the space.

[@GrummanIsComin]

Amazing home! I’d love to live in this home. I love how it’s all off grid and eco friendly! Brilliant 👍

[@pastrami00]

The biggest issue with 'alternative' building methods (and virtually every area of innovation) is that governments rarely allow them. They're still stuck with building codes that were developed in the '50s.

[@slimmidge3124]

Needs plants.

[@kaitlynmyran5266]

Why do we never ask about the cost ??? Specifically material cost ?

[@lifestyleoffreedomfamily]

Very good - but one “cob house builder” once told me - build a roof first then the rest!!! and I would do it that way too ;-)

[@karziflora]

I'm ready to move in, what a stunning house in a gorgeous location

[@auhn4804]

Really, then may i know which type of location you like most ?

[@wontonnoodle2169]

My question is how much does it cost to building it? It lookz great and eco friendly which make it great ideal for me.

[@rhondashotwell7358]

I love this house, and especially the rammed earth fireplace; so beautiful!

[@keephiscommandmentsandlive9860]

Does anyone know someone you could hire to build these or a company?

[@t_thumpol]

The house was so gorgeous that i didn't expect cob house to be like this. Seriously looks like marble touch some part I want one too

[@jonathanjacques7250]

Wonder how much it would cost to build if a contractor did all the work?

[@deborahadcock978]

Wow!!!!!I never knew an off grid house could be so beautiful!!!

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

Beautiful! Just love the 'hobbity' looking exterior & soothing palette. And the setting...wow...to die for!!! 👍💖🌈🇨🇦☘️

[@poojabhatt3252]

What a beautiful house! Love the curved walls and the living room.

[@proudbrownconservative]

I am asking because I don't know, if your off the grid, how does propane make you off grid?

[@guy8646]

Off grid means not connected to the municipal power, water and gas.

[@proudbrownconservative]

@@guy8646 I know that, for emergency purposes, I would do for my reasons, but, you can't produce propane

[@baddriversofcolga]

Most off-grid people are not producing every single thing they own, either. It's simply means not being directly connected through a pipe, wire, etc. to a grid.

[@alexesdohr6485]

You are confusing off grid with self sufficiency.

[@proudbrownconservative]

@@alexesdohr6485 thanks

[@yushikuang7877]

The inside is unexpectedly luxurious.

[@BigBirdy100]

No to the open septic wetland. Mosquitoes.

[@annesweeney5552]

Beautiful home ! Twin boys and she looks like she carrying twins again wow ! God Bless you and you beautiful family

[@maryhart637]

What a gorgeous house.l Beautifully designed! With only 2 bedrooms, it's going to get crowded when the third baby arrives...🤗😍😳

[@EvelynMaya1]

Sounds like this is a rental.

[@maryhart637]

@@EvelynMaya1 After all that work?? I would never rent it out if it was my house...way too much hard labor went into it.

[@BudgetCarnivore]

@@maryhart637 they are architects right. I think this is common for them

[@urmaker]

A beautiful home. I wish them and their Babies (and the one coming) all the love and happiness in the world. :) That means there is none left for the people reading this. Sorry.

[@kathysyphrit5713]

I love it. I always wonder why builders waste so much space for a eating table. You don't spend a lot of time eating so I would change that.

[@sashastarshanti3599]

I love this beautiful cob house! The design is elegant and peaceful, and I really like a design plan with no wasted space, on the small side, yet not tiny. Love the curved walls, bedroom designs, and kitchen too.

[@robinpickelsimer7229]

You should be proud! Fantastic job! Love the VPN lesson as well.

[@robinpickelsimer7229]

Thanks

[@lordplanet8413]

Beautiful natural nontoxic low carbon a true sustainable home. There many natural homes like this in the world that are over a thousand years old.

[@Em-mr6wu]

Mat & Danielle, in the description you write "...and will soon become a full-time home for its new owners". Do you mean they sold it? Thank you. Beautiful idea and home!

[@veen88]

Yeah i also read that in discription And suddenly my mood turned from Happy&creative to sad

[@pacificnorthwestgirl2725]

Creative off-grid home. The only thing I didn't care for were the curtains instead of traditional wooden closet doors and the metal counters in the kitchen . The wall behind the fireplace was really beautiful as was the stone steps leading to the front door.

[@jackienorth]

This is such a great design, I love the layout and the feel of the place. Is there any way to get the specs no this so I can perhaps design myself something similar?

[@SandraDelesalle]

Lovely home! I would love to live in a house like this.

[@calibrnnraizd]

thnx for that vpn discount

[@IAmSherry12]

Completely off grid? I just saw a clip At about The 2 minute mark that shows an electric outlet and something plugged into it within the structure

[@tangocash342]

Just beautiful and I believe healthy.

[@AberrantArt]

I wish there were more details on the actual construction of it. What's the ratio of materials for the cob? What's the marble looking floor made of? What is the clay plaster for the walls made of?

[@buddha1736]

Please explain how burning 🔥 Wood 🪵 and having a log fire place is green.

[@beejereeno2]

When you live in a wooded area that is dense like that, trees die and fall all the time. That's where they get the wood to burn from. And then living trees absorb carbon dioxide while growing, and then it is returned to the atmosphere when their wood is burned.

[@cmadk3423]

Wood is a renewable resource. No source of heat or energy is perfect.

[@tytyguy22]

This house is beautiful! My dream. I love the kitchen and how modern it is and open. The fireplace is gorgeous. Bathroom sink blending into a bench is amazing.

[@cece354]

The whole house looks amazing until you see those curtains as closet doors yike. It takes away the beauty of the home.

[@lindylindybasicoceangirl]

...MUST push pause halfway to say I love the attention to detail/design so far...truly talented couple with a vision for a blissful space...

[@samuelsoroaster416]

What an amazing job seeing all those details. Crazy amount of work it looks like. Can you please explain how the constructed wetland works in the winter?

[@javelina100]

Insurance companies are generally not friendly to alternative housing. Just something to keep in mind.

[@Onlinesully]

Strong people doing this renovation overhaul through the pregnancy. good going.

[@abiyah3176]

I need this floor plan.

[@rungitusodurqel6264]

The secretive motorboat conservatively flap because eagle phytogeographically nail lest a divergent jewel. common, busy sparrow

[@denisephillips9269]

High rain area but flat roof? What am I missing? Doesn't look like there is any slant to the lower roof... Apparently no snow. Also where is the clay purchased? How much to build the home? Realize labor was mostly done by owners.

[@willbass2869]

I'm curious if a Russian style masonry mass heater could be built using rammed earth and a network of steel pipes with earth rammed around/between instead of masonry blocks. Any thoughts

[@primitiveol7567]

I have not watched your video for three days, because I'm too busy tonight I am watching

[@malisalindsay8588]

I am interested in this type build. I am looking for someone to build. Any suggestions for South Carolina builders

[@MusicEchos]

You could forget that cob is involved and win an Architectural home building award!!

[@carolinaamundberg2073]

Wow amazing house! Good work! The chimney doesn't look earthquake safe though?

[@wbwills2]

Sounds like quite an echo in there .even with all the beds drapes ect. Wondering if it’s a house you want to stay in but not live in full time…comments or advice from anyone that lives in a non conventional construction house of any kind,full time,would be appreciated. Thanks

[@bosse641]

Awesome place. Love that.

[@nicolecoralluzzo1964]

I AM IN NEED OF A COB BUILDER TO BUILD MY DREAM COB HOUSE IN PA; IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANYONE THATCAN BUILD MY FAMILY A BIG COB HOUSE PLEASE LMK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@koalawilliams4236]

Finally a cob house with pictures on the walls!! Wondering if you used command hooks or there is another way to hang photos you recommend?

[@cathylynnpietranton]

Thanks Danielle for sharing this couple story. We love their design. 👍👍❤

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks Cathy :) :)

[@DivineZeal]

Cool build if you’re a millionaire

[@ramkc9129]

Looks like a strong house but weak doors and windows any animal can get in off grid house should not be like this windows every where glass doors 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@VictoriaMitchell-ix4ur]

Gorgeous.❤

[@raroboy1]

Love the design of this beautiful house. I'd really appreciate a floor plan of the design?

[@lindamon5101]

Too bad the kitchen sink doesnt face outside. Love the kitchen sink, where is this @? Im probly jealous.love the closets with curtains.

[@nokkenfolk2312]

Why is it always rich people building their micro mansion and calling it cob for a weekend getaway? Most people who wanna build with cob are doing so as an alternative to modern housing costs and suburbia.

[@texasmade3372]

I really want to do something like this.About how much money am I looking at? I'm just a hardworking young man trying to make it.

[@TatooedDoc]

I think I am too old to be building a house myself. I have been searching for cob builders and not having a lot of success. Does anyone here know if there are contractors in the US that can build these houses? Everyone one I have seen was built by the owners.

[@valentinaperez8256]

I do love hearing about the woman's work, though not a fan of the interior design. Why have a cobhouse decorated like literally every other apartment out there? But oh well, to each their own.

[@Mark_Chandler]

so how long did it take from start to finish?

[@h0ckeyd]

You keep calling it a small space but around the world...such as here in the UK, this would be gigantic.

[@michaelworley7517]

instead destroying trees we can be able to use Forest as building blocks then tearing blocks. I love the Teal colors. I hope you can this wise advise why? We can be able to change the world in 2 ways not just 1 we can be able to grow gardens in trees and grow them on the trees and we could make a new species

[@RokDAWG1]

Everything about this house is amazingly beautiful!

[@kurtisarnold2788]

Would love to learn more about the bio septic system. That is tremendously appealing. It's great to see such a small footprint for living.

[@Thedoodahman_]

7:29 Just pointing out that the bed isn’t even with the 2 windows, you’re welcome for being annoyed