BUILDING A COB HOUSE - INTRODUCTION TO COB

🔴Join the 'Online Cob Workshop' here: www.members.thiscobhouse.com/o...
Credits for image at 0:01 🏡 Leela House, at Earthaven Ecovillage, a collaboration of Arjuna da Silva (owner) and Steve-o Brodmerkel (builder).
If you really think about it, most people can’t go to attend a cob workshop. There are various reasons for this, but usually its one of these:
You just don’t have enough time available
You can’t get vacation days off
You can’t afford the high workshop fees and travel expenses
I recognized this as a big problem facing the natural building movement.
How are people ever going to be empowered with these skills and make a difference in the way we build if most people are barred from taking workshops for these sorts of reasons?
For a solution to this problem, I wanted to completely eliminate the reasons people usually have for not being able to take a cob workshop.
So, this is what I did in a nutshell…
I took the traditional cob workshop and made it virtual.
Yes, I made a comprehensive cob workshop that can be taken via the internet.
This is what that means for you:
You can learn from home at your own pace
You don’t need to ever take vacation days off
No travel required
You only pay a fraction of the cost!
As a teacher who’s goal is to deliver my students with a pathway to success, I have made it my task to over-deliver with this course.
I guarantee that you will learn more in this online course than any other comprehensive workshop you could actually go and attend.
Live workshops are great and very important, but with most of them they just don’t cover all of the important topics. Even though workshops can be for a week or more, most of that time is usually not spent efficiently learning all the aspects of building really needed.
A standard week-long cob workshop is usually focused so much on mixing large quantities of cob and building cob walls that a whole list of other important topics is passed right over.
Again, in my attempt to solve problems I’ve made the online cob workshop comprehensive in its scope. You don’t get the hands on aspect of a live workshop, but you get everything else and then some more!
Here’s a snippet of what you’ll learn in the online Cob Workshop Classroom during the first 3 months. The lessons are comprised of videos and downloadable PDF readings.
Month One
Introduction to Earth Building
Designing Your Cob House - Introduction
Foundations - Basic Principles
Site Preparation
Rubble Trench Foundations
3-4-5 Method - How to Square a Site for Building
Building a Stone Foundation - Part 1 Introduction
Building a Stone Foundation - Part 2: Batter Boards
Cob Ingredients - Soil, Sand, and Straw
Testing and Selecting Soil
Building Plans - Foundation One: Rubble Trench, Batter Boards, Stone Stem Wall
Case Study - Joy’s Cob Brick Test
Question and Answer - Month One
Month Two
Selecting a Building Site
Passive Solar Design
Building a Stone Foundation - Part 3: Collecting Stones
Building a Stone Foundation - Part 4: Stone Masonry Tools
Laying Out a Round Foundation
Foundation Module Two: Round Foundation
Thermal Mass and Insulation
How to Make Cob - Tarp Method
Analyzing Cob Test Bricks
Basic Tools for Building a Cob House
Month Three
Building Cob Walls - Part 1: Properties & Dynamics
Mixing Cob with a Tractor
Building a Stone Foundation -Part 5: Stone Laying
Building a Stone Foundation -Part 6: Mortar & Finishing
Installing Utility Lines - Electricity & Water
Hybrid Building Systems
Passive Cooling
Case Study: Arjuna’s House - Water Lines, Hybrid Design, Passive Solar
Building Plans - Cob Wall Construction
The lessons will take you through a linear progression of how to build your own cob house.
If this sounds like it might solve some of your problems like I’ve mentioned, and if you are keen to join me and the other students currently enrolled in the program, please click here - www.members.thiscobhouse.com/o...
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#ThisCobHouse #cobhouse #naturalbuilding
#naturalhomes #rammedearth #sustainableliving #homesteading #offgridliving #greenbuilding #homesteadlife #selfsufficiency #cobhouses #doityourself #diy

[@thiscobhouse]

Credits for image at 0:01 🏡 Leela House, at Earthaven Ecovillage, a collaboration of Arjuna da Silva (owner) and Steve-o Brodmerkel (builder).

[@savgoulis2826]

Hi there, do you ever use hydraulic lime in any part of your buildings? Or never, as there's no need??

[@gw7768]

I need this. Am in Nairobi, Kenya

[@beblissnow5947]

FINALLY !!! Some GREAT Architectural DESIGN w CLASS.

[@keephiscommandmentsandlive9860]

Hi, are your courses still available?

[@brendadurr5186]

@@beblissnow5947 Design?

[@LadyMarch]

Watched this with my 6 year old son. Found him outside later. In a mud puddle. Building a doghouse out of mud. With the dog, who loves to dig.

[@blueskieskoda2833]

I would love to know how that turned out for him and his dog.

[@B30pt87]

@Jessica March, best comment here! It made my day, thanks.

[@crazydaizy915]

Awwww💜

[@Leo-hb2hg]

You tube ; Ancient roots modern shoots .. leonid sharashkin

[@noyb6200]

That is precious!!! XOXO

[@caragraver7204]

This is a brilliant webinar. I finished building my 600 sq, (round) foot Cob Studio over 10 years ago and was thrilled to be able to build something out of clay I could get inside of (I'm a potter). It was my medium! I read The Cob Builder's Handbook by Becky Bee and I was hooked . You have done a great service by putting out this information so clearly and beautifully. Thank you! May the cob be with you (and with us all).

[@noragarza8628]

Bravo!

[@madisonanderson2851]

Thank you for the book recommendation! It’s help me so much!

[@caragraver7204]

@@madisonanderson2851 Hooray!!!

[@witchyhair1062]

How's it holding up 10 years later

[@caragraver7204]

@@witchyhair1062 We had a problem on one corner of the living roof -drainage issue that we easily remedies just this year. Other than that no troubles.

[@iwachuslee0]

we shouldn't have to get permission from an all powerful soverign to build our own house...

[@darthmoodydiah2796]

If it's all powerful, and the sovereign of the land you live upon, you do. The question is whether we should have all powerful sovereigns whom claim vast tracts of land, extort us, etc etc; or if the only sovereigns should be the individual.

[@cahlenw]

Agreed

[@nicklebuck]

@Connor Hough it can be more than just keeping people safe. there are places where new buildings cannot be under 600, 700, 800, etc. sq ft....there are places cob would be considered very illegal, despite it being a very safe building material. building codes are without a doubt influenced by capitalism and even stigmas. nothing is as one sided as simple minds would hope.

[@paulau7590]

Maybe we could say we are building a car. There must be a loophole. Lol

[@paulau7590]

What is the difference in pricing say in a 3 bedroom stick home vs cob

[@virgilfisher1869]

The Brits used to keep there cows penned in during the winter. There they had cow manure, straw and clay mixed up by the cows. Everyone knew to muck out the pen each spring, and slowly stack up the walls to their new home. Everyone knew this and so it was not written down, everyone knew this until one day no one knew this.

[@PixieStixx]

virgil fisher The Knowledge we lost over the ages is immense.

[@wikedwhich1]

@Kata List Productions its all about control

[@wisewoman7906]

@SmaCk You d1cK - No, it's not. Methane blows off pretty quickly, but that is the purpose of natural storms - to clean the air, and force particulate (pollutants) into the soil, which renders most toxins inert through filtration. We live on a self-sustaining planet, if stupid humans would just quit trying to outpace the natural healing and cleansing capabilities by dumping onto the surface what should have left buried deep underground, where Nature put it. Plus, if we would just quit clear-cutting whole tracts of land, like rain forests, because trees are the lungs of the earth, and which is what air-breathers need to survive. I am not a Greenpeace advocate nor a tree-hugger, but I do respect the way the Earth was designed by Someone much smarter than I. Humans need to just Stop. There are enough resources already harvested and laying wasted on the ground, to the point that we can afford to slow down harvesting (trees, minerals) for a while and give the Earth a chance to recoup. Edit: Besides, once manure is incorporated into a good cob mixture, it loses its odor.

[@automaticreply]

@@wisewoman7906 thanks! That's some good shit!

[@drewgormley6933]

This mixture still would have required sand, or it wouldn't have correctly coagulated.

[@nakyesestella7786]

I have always played with mud, I built mud houses as a young girl coz my dad is an engineer. So I wanted to copy from him but had no cement so I used mud. To my surprise with my little brain, I realised that these tiny houses lasted a while. Now my dream house is cob, How is that Alex???

[@Bo_D_Vine]

I would love to develop a village made of cob 🏠 🏡

[@theresaedwards4084]

Crushed limerock makes an excellent wheelchair accessable path and/or work space. Incase you were considering options.

[@wisewoman7906]

Cool. I know someone personally who would love to buy a huge tract of land and have only underground, hobbit homes in it.

[@wisewoman7906]

@@theresaedwards4084 - thanks for that tip. I share a piece of property with a wheelchair user, and getting her around the property is exhaustive, and dangerous enough that she simply cannot access her property very much. Her power chair is designed for city sidewalks, not rough graded mountain roads.

[@satta7778]

Hi I would like to live in a con eco village!!! The whole village would be a natural paradise with a river and natural springs. I would love to be part of a community farm where we share the food we produce amongst all the villagers. I don’t want to be around people who don’t love and respect life. I want to live one with the earth. The type of land I’m looking for cost more than I can afford. I would prefer to live off grid but I don’t want to be alone. If 20 families (singles ok) each invested. $10,000 in a 45 acre riverfront property ripe w/ fish , natural springs , hardwood forest, farmland , and 2 caves. Selling for $175.000. Not only can we afford it, we’ll have money to pay the lawyer who draws up the new deed listing all owners and the terms of the agreement. Such as .... each family may claim .25 acre as their personal homestead. They may build their home as they wish but it must be eco friendly and biodegradable or built with re cycled materials. You may fence off your homestead. The other 40 acres of the village would be community property some of which would be for community farming. The rest is for the enjoyment of the community. Thanks for allowing me to share my vision

[@johnswartz7872]

In salvage:...Texas... People can intern; on the property... and learn how to bild...using cob: and ; Other salvaged Wooden built-interiors... that are very; energy efficient... and completely sustainable... This is a current..& ongoing- process... that is in the works... Mind,& hearts... of some very dedicated people: People must do... “an internship”... Where; they pay their own expenses.. which are cheap.. but not free... and, a basic- cost per night:of living there... And this can be offset by the labor you are doing to help the community therefore you may stay for free ... but-that is up to the creative abilities...of; the intern.. who then.. has a skill...& training... to walk away with the knowledge; to build.. a multi million dollar home;... if they choose to....

[@dominacorvi9238]

Another reason people can't go to a workshop is because of location/access.... try being an eco- responsible person in a wheelchair. Particularly as the flexibility of the medium would allow for a very accessibly designed home. I think it's BRILLIANT you offer this online; thank you.

[@Bo_D_Vine]

Domina Corvi thanks for that little slice of humble pie. I needed to be reminded to express gratitude for the life I have and what I’m capable of doing that I always say “everyone has the exact same opportunity to make a difference they just don’t choose to expand their experiences” makes me realize how powerful perspective really is. I never considered that attending eco events are usually in the dirt.. no wheelchair access really. Humm? Another thing to find a solution to🧐

[@racers115]

Great point and thanks for being a possibility thinker! I love people like you! :)

[@theresaedwards4084]

You make an excellent point!

[@jeremyb2120]

20:00 great to know how to tell what's in my soil. And 47:40 for how to keep moisture out. This whole thing is really helpful. Thanks!

[@artbyfaith]

I love this idea! I am looking forward to mixing this with earthship building. I love that I can shape cob homes and add my fairy tale features and use colored glass. I just love it!

[@btwquickfacts]

Did you get to do this incorporation @Connie Koehler?

[@godaboveall8344]

Im looking to do the same and wondering if I can get by without insulation in zone 7. I feel like the passive solar will go a long way but maybe the insulation will need beefed up. I really want to do away with vapor barriers except on the roof. I'll probably just make it more earth integrated rather than just a standing wall

[@TheLightintheheart]

Exactly what I needed! I wanted to enrol in a training program but the one I was interested in was very very faraway! I can now get access to all the knowledge I was aiming for and more and save myself a lot of money and worries about travelling a long distance and having to reorganise my family and work around it! Thank you for this opportunity!

[@uniquelyaveragefamily6610]

Thank you for putting this out there and offering it to people. It’s so nice to have this as an option. Thank you so much! I wish more natural building technologies would do something like this for people. How else are we supposed to be self empowered?

[@Miles9595]

Going to take this online course while I do my regular coursework, such a burden to afford and travel even though I was willing to do it before... But this is a bargain and a trade treasure, thanks for your output and sincerity on a useful trade. Be there soon

[@lauranyc4966]

IM IN !!!!!! My dream come true house build from natural materials ♥️👍🏻 thank you 🙏🏻

[@ashlaraque4135]

I’m so grateful for your vids. This year with covid I can’t afford the cob workshops to educate myself on it. Thank you so much, you’re awesome:)

[@allovertheplacejess]

This is a great video. It is so filled with information that I have listened to it a few times. I am so excited to build my own cob home someday. I am totally taking your online course when the money comes my way. Thank you for the in-depth intro to cob!!

[@Nerdpainter]

I'm totally going to do this. i wont be able to build one for quite a few years but I'm starting to plan early.

[@AnoNymous-2013]

Title should be "introduction to online course" as half of the video talks about it.

[@earthabides9836]

You nailed it

[@NSiFe]

Well, i have learn a lot actually!

[@nordicjeff1]

That house in the beginning is absolutely beautiful.

[@HristosIisusEdomnul]

Thank you so much! Be blessed!

[@deborrastorm2754]

Yes, so glad you.have done this. Found the cement cobb earth home projects but still not specific enough ..thanks. Will get more inform. from.Contractors I know THANKS. Blessings. Praying I can get my own cobb house done thanks.

[@virglibrsaglove]

Wow, thank you so much for making this! I especially liked the question and answer section at the end.

[@donwells9494]

Brilliant, well presented, thorough. Empowering too!

[@Ukversuskenya]

I will join this course. Yes! Build these and live a healthy simple life.

[@catalpasymbiote2331]

Truly awesome video. Very comprehensive. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I hope to build in Texas in the coming year.

[@summits4ataxia]

Well done. Gluck thanks for passing on the information and skills.

[@hunibuni]

WOOOHOOOO!!! THANK YOU!

[@srinivasn1645]

Pls give more information about cob roof

[@KatieMacWho]

Ok so THIS one is much better! I love this one.

[@tiffanym4202]

Gosh, how to chose? I just love strawbale, cob and rammed earth. But I also love earthsheltered and passive solar. I see a hybrid house forming in my mind. Thankful for the educational material...I have every intention of taking advantage of that. I still have to wait a couple of years before I can start building. Until then, I love the idea of practicing and my dogs need a doghouse and I need a small tool shed.

[@cassityart7001]

Thank you Alex! I can definitely see a community working together to build cob homes. I see how beautiful these structures are and want to get started building. Thank you for talking about design and how design creates super efficient living spaces by being mindful of solar and thermal energy. Looking forward to our first project. Great to know you are just a phone call away. : )

[@mrbill0626]

One question I have is: How do you keep the house from being washed away by the rain? That would be kind of messy, especially if I am in the house at the time!

[@arlo1961]

Heavy consistent driven rain will very slowly (maybe a millimeter per rainy season) erode the outer most layer of cob if it is completely exposed and unplastered, but it doesn't just soak up water and wash away. Never the less, put your cob on a foundation that keeps it above standing water, and cap the house with a good roof that keeps rain off... but that's the case with any house. Good hat, good shoes.

[@carpediem1667]

Thank you for this video. I am planning to build my own home. This perfect for me.

[@DylanBegazo]

I learned a lot. I intend on making a 4 story strong framed house out of Cob and Stone and Hempcrete. On the outside it will look like a typical one story Irish stone home or Scottish stone home with a A Frame roof. The difference is it will have the other 3 floors below ground. The exterior visible part of the house aka the 1st floor will be made with beautiful Celtic stone design and a mortar most likely cob. Cobs properties seem great for use in the interior too for its insulation property. But I’ll be using the cob for the visible interior wall. The insulation between the exterior and interior I’m thinking will be Hempcrete. So exterior is stone and cob. Insulation is Hempcrete. Interior is cob. The 3 floors underground need to be water proof of course so what ever I choose I’ll cover it in a skin of rubber sealant to be a water barrier between the earth and the exterior wall but the below ground exterior walls themselves will be made of something more water proof then cob. If all else fails I’ll just have to use a single pour reinforced concrete for the foundation and walls unfortunately. I wish I could know of something better then concrete to use for the exterior below grade walls because cob isnt water proof like he said and the soil is wet where I want to build and I want my house to last for my grandkids at the very least..but I don’t of another waterproof below grade exterior wall material to use. Good news is when that’s done, I’ll put the Hempcrete insulation into the frame and then after that make the interior wall out of cob. Plumbing and electrical taken into consideration of course. I want a very insulated house because I want to live somewhere not too south because I still want all four seasons. Thanks for the bit about the Roof overhang and downward slanted windows with the drip line. That’s very important even though I may not use only cob for the exterior 1st level walls. On top of my cob floors I was thinking of putting hardwood floors or tile floors but not for all of the floors just most of them. For heating I already got that figured out. I’ll be using a hybrid I fashioned between a Rocket Mass Heating system and a Geothermal radiant earth heating system. A hybrid of the two. The hybrid works very very nicely. The Rocket Mass Heater portion burns the wood so well that even the creosote is burned away so it only produces C02 and something else (both of which I exhaust into the ground where the geothermal heating system pipes will get their heat from so nothing is wasted 😉😉) I have electrical figured out too. No electric bills at all. Traditional solar panel array on the east and west parts of the A frame roof. Traditional solar panels are the rectangle ones which are very durable and have higher efficiency and reliability then the others for cost. I’ll set them up/install them myself. No labor cost for that. The panels will be connected in parallel to prevent shading issues and I’ll be using a inverter and advanced charge controller and transformer for maximum efficiency. So the panels produce the charge. To store it I’ll make a battery bank. Battery bank made of an Iron flow battery OR just old fashioned Lithium Ion batteries. I got water figured out too. No water bills. Because I’ll be using a Rain Water Harvesting system inspired by two people I’ve been learning from here on KZbin called Handeeman and Homesteadeconomics. My clean and sanitary roof harvests the water. The gutters and gutter pipes filter out almost EVERYTHING using a series of different filters like mesh filter then Sand, charcoal, gravel, and other materials. The clean water goes into huge sanitary containers kept away from any light and gravity fed into the water systems in my house (which is partly why 3 stories of the house is below ground. The other part being on top of everything is take advantage of the Cob and Hempcrete insulation properties and the earths natural stable temperature.) No water bill. No electrical bill. And lastly I’ll have a sunken greenhouse hybrid aquaponics garden attached to the first basement level to grow oranges and grapes and blue berries and avocados and tomatoes and strawberries all year round. Many of my friends how to foreclose on the house and not live the life they wanted. Many of them are getting on 50 and won’t be done paying off their mortgage until they are 80 or 90. Many can’t retire and are slaves to the bank. They live paycheck to paycheck. Can’t travel. I do not want to be slave to the bank. I want to live my life MY WAY. That’s SUPPOSED to be the American Dream. I will build my house over the course of 3 years. I will not use a bank loan. I will not pay a general contractor. I will be my own general contractor. I will pay the construction cash step by step. No mortgage. I am restricting myself to a house budget of $100K no more and I know I can do it thanks to the lack of bills and cob and Hempcrete and maybe even Aircrete. Leaving $6K aside every year for my Roth IRA so I can retire strong later on.

[@sgreenfield5256]

Aircrete is the way to go for good insulation!!

[@anewtattoobynancy1]

Wow! Amazing! Good for you. You should be so proud. Howzit going so far? 👍🤗🌺

[@Godzillacock]

Do you have a motivational progress for all of us readers? 🎉

[@tanyalow4090]

So helpful. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@IDidntKnow...]

Awesome! I've signed up for the course. I'm 53 & looking for property in PA. The course will help me do the build myself. Thanx for making the course affordable. Much love & God bless...

[@ReyBanYAHUAH]

Much love! The Father in Heaven’s Name is NOT “the LORD” it is YAHUAH (YA-WHO-AH) The Son’s Name is NOT “jesus” it is YAHUSHA (YA-WHO-SHA)! Beloveds we must repent of our sins (sin is transgression of The Law Of YAHUAH The Father in Heaven. The Law YAHUAH Gave through Moses. We must repent of our sins and Have Belief On YAHUSHA The Messiah. HE Died and Rose three days later so that we can be forgiven of our sins! Come to HIM Today! Much love!!

[@andreworlowski2638]

Fantastic. Thank you for very fine knowledge!

[@SPENT77]

I lived at the solar living institute back in 2008 and I loved it so much......

[@raphaelmorais1419]

Fantástico. Brilhante. Procuro por um material dessa qualidade... pena que saco nada de inglês, mas da pra entender!

[@freetrailer4poor]

you can cob cement, I consider cob anything you do by hand without molds. By cobbing, you can control what you use and all angles.

[@bernadetteshiels5240]

Thank you for info. much appreciated.

[@2icelollys1goat]

Hi. Wonderful video - which you should be hugely proud of. I'm helping my cousin's build a straw bale home (in the West of England) with a Cedar roof; and clay, sand, chopped straw rendered walls. We'll paint the walls with a light limewash inside; and multiple coats outside. We've noticed some big cracks (small ones are fairly unavoidable) appearing. Using a 1 to 1 sand to clay ratio inevitably caused this. So, for the external render we'll likely use 3 to 1.

[@thiscobhouse]

Thank you! Congratulations on the strawbale construction! Very exciting.

[@courtnymccornack]

im very interested. I've been interested in cob houses for a long time now. great work on info.

[@corrosivecub]

did you build it???

[@Dineshsrirams]

Wonderful presentation. Very informative and helpful.

[@PistonShack]

Great video. Thanks for the intro onto the cob buildings. One more subscribers.

[@pamelawherey4583]

May the Lord of Heaven bless you!!!

[@existentialhangover1124]

A little more research is needed but definitely interested. 200 bucks is nothing if I can build something like this myself. I would seriously consider doing this after I can figure a rough estimate in costs for about 400 sf in a rural area in TN, plus difficulty in acquiring the building materials. All four seasons (but not frigid winters) and lots of rainfall here.. No idea of building codes but it's not a huge concern when it can't even be seen from any roads. Whimsical appearance, natural, safe, and affordable...Love it.

[@thiscobhouse]

I've built a lot of cob in Tennessee. I'm actually going up to Athens, TN tomorrow to continue a cob building project.

[@anuralatha]

Thanks Alex,we need such builders.Lets step forwerd for Green living...!

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

Permits,... we dont need no stinkin permits,..LoL Thats what I like about living out in the country in Oklahoma,.. Im in a permit less , code less area,..

[@jasonwelch1609]

Eric K what part of oklahoma?

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

The eastern side of the state along side I-40 by Tenkiller Lake,.. I love it here because theres actually hills and trees,...LoL

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

Yes, its kinda strange, like you said,... anymore you need a permit just to put a dang canoe in the water,.. I guess I could be wrong but that is what several people who have lived here a long time told me...and judging from the places Ive seen around here, I believe it,...LoL but if I were to build anything major,... Id definitely check just to be sure.

[@Bo_D_Vine]

You must be on the other “Mandela” earth then 🧐

[@newdogatplay]

Best not advertise it or tgey will come to ur area as well ,they want ur cash as well

[@foodoverseascanada872]

inspiring i want to make this cove house financially wise

[@kimrose3649]

I'm going to be floating around no home for a minute to save money to buy property and build cob and I'm learning and I learned more on this video that you don't get like soil and codes that I hadnt thought about ..I'm going to have a small amount of money so i cant mess this up....Thank you for this video you help me ...So where should I look for property i was looking in nevada or arizona but I'm flexible...

[@turinhorse4232]

thanks Alex!

[@metta8]

I really like the idea of this. I will seriously think about doing this.

[@chrismarston7885]

metta8888 there is no think. only do or do not! Yoda start small. make a dog house or privacy wall for ac unit.

[@Rai46149]

My city would never allow this! Love it!

[@tinishawashington9110]

I've been watching about 15 minutes and I have been looking for you I have needed you you rock I love you you are answering what I wanted to know4😳😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😉👍👍👍👍👍😘

[@j.delacruzbravo]

SO much great information, thank you very much!! I'm building in LA...wish me luck!

[@dustywaxhead]

Jessica De La Cruz Bravo how has it gone so far?

[@j.delacruzbravo]

Caleb Gallegos so much red tape! building naturally in the city certainly isn't easy. it took quite a while to find suitable land to begin with. and as I move forward, everything is a learning process. I just took a one week course at Quail Springs on introduction to cob construction, but there's still tons more to learn. it's exciting, but can certainly be overwhelming if I think about how much more I have to go. not afraid of the challenge, though. I'll push through. 😊 thanks for asking!

[@dustywaxhead]

Jessica De La Cruz Bravo good to hear, Im thinking about building in the LA area too one day so I hope inspection, permits etc. won't be too challenging to deal with

[@dustywaxhead]

Jessica De La Cruz Bravo good to hear, Im thinking about building in the LA area too one day so I hope inspection, permits etc. won't be too challenging to deal with

[@j.delacruzbravo]

The more this becomes popular in home construction, the easier it will be to get it approved by the city, especially in a place with building codes as strict as LA. Straw bale has made its provisions into the California Building handbook, so there's a bit more acceptance in going with that method. My advice is to continue on your journey. It will be challenging, but a wonderful investment for yourself and the natural world. Good luck!

[@simplyliving2074]

Thank you. Great information.

[@danielgr1]

The residential code contains provisions for this type of construction. The quoted IBC is for commercial construction which is why residential requirements aren't mentioned in it. The residential code is an exception to the IBC. It's called light-straw clay construction and it's an appendix that must be adopted by the local jurisdiction for the ability to use it and approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

[@smexyangelmike3117]

OMG Im so excited. I'm going to go to college, work pt time, save up money to buy some land and build a cob house

[@MrRyanmcmahon]

Great vid, Is there a temperature range in which cob won't work? Of if it's too wet of a climate? Thanks.

[@Infinitybein]

excellent info...great job

[@alistairsmith593]

Hi does the workshop consider building requirements with earthquake zones I live in NZ and I believe that the NZ earth building association have made recommendations to local authorities on siezmic loadings... Could I get a building like this comply with NZ building codes?

[@danbujor5991]

Very informed. Clay has detox properties too besides may other benefits. Traditionally you add horse shit, witch is short fibers.

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

Lots of good information in this video. And a couple hundred dollars for a more in depth course is reasonable. Thumbs up!

[@thiscobhouse]

Thank you! And I really do try to keep all of my course prices low. They really are a great bargain for what you get. I appreciate the comment.

[@susanmurrell635]

This Cob House Do you know of someone or a group of people doing this ....maybe you.?.. where someone could get some actual hands on experience...like to volunteer to help with a building?

[@susanmurrell635]

@@thiscobhouse From above comment about volunteering.....I mean on the east coast....northeast primarily? Thank you.

[@wearenaturew.a.n6063]

Wow, keep up the good work 🙏❤️

[@giselemartin7853]

I would like to know if it would be possible to COVER a house with cob... I have a cordwood house and it is not very energy efficient anymore as a lot of the logs have split from inside to outside and I find myself covering cracks to stop drafts... It was simply not built correctly to begin with.

[@timothyaldridge5363]

what type roof material do you use. or is it standard. Do you reinforce for the 2nd floor

[@patandersen4271]

I subscribed. You had me at Cob😁

[@nickwilkinson5515]

Is there a source to find cob structure we can visit? Also would love to volunteer on a couple projects.

[@iersejounge]

hi. I have a question for anyone- can I insulate my 100 year old irish cottage with foot thick walls, with cob .Instead of dry line and plaster?I am going to build a cob extension to the property too. any ideas or thoughts.cheers cobbers

[@Diego-gz1pl]

hello, excelent webinar! im thinking in buying your course as im really interested in this topic can you tell me if theres any problem with a rainny wheather and a fire place incede the cob house?? thanks!

[@benmassin7625]

i want to build a house with cob in a region where trenched by seism. which technique can i use

[@randolphtorres4172]

It’s a very common misconception about the straw in cob construction. The straw does not reinforce the cob,it’s purpose is to stabilize the cob and reduce shrinkage and cracking.

[@larisah1]

Sounds Very interesting! I am planning to start building a cob house in WI next year. Is anybody have an experience in WI?

[@lifestyleoffreedom4168]

Hello Im considering building my own Cob House, just one thing. Anybody has any experience with mice etc entering the walls? What do you do to prevent it or when happens? Because as we know they get.everywhere...thanks for any tip of experience..John

[@zachrawlings6523]

Love that you strive to make it code-compliant. Ive been saying we need more testing with natural materials so we can have regulation so we can have another option for building materials..

[@aprildavis5385]

Meet with architec? Sub contracter? I'm trying to save money!

[@ummsaalih4579]

I hope you know I have full intentions to attend the course and will spreading the work.i would like to teach as well if you have a teaching materials I would love to know. Thank you for this.

[@lav1daloca]

i think building a steel frame home its easier and cheaper if you have to pay for labor making the cob and cobbing the structure. With a prefabricated steel frame home you can do it alone or with a couple people.

[@user-tz2mc3sy2e]

So I'm basically building a cob cottage by myself, as my wife works full time...I am hiring a couple of High School boy's during their summer vacation to help speed up the process, however, I also want to have the main structure up before winter, so I will need to speed up the mixing process...I'm considering using one of those 3.5 cubic ft. Harbor Freight concrete/ masonry mixers....Is this a workable idea?

[@sissomd1]

Did you use the mixer? How did it work out for you?

[@Yoda9898]

Is it cheaper to do this then build traditional homes? What’s the average price for a 1,000sqft cob house after getting all those architects and city people involved usually?

[@bananapatch9118]

So, if the subsoil is about 20-25% clay, then I’m all set….just add water n clay, is that correct ? We’ll be building in Mexico so no issues with building codes !

[@MsPoliteRants]

Can sawdust be used in place of straw?

[@varadchitnis1055]

What would be the natural mixture we can use for flooring to avoiding dampness from ground?

[@thiscobhouse]

You will want to put a layer of gravel underneath the earthen floor, and probably a vapor barrier too to prevent dampness from rising through the floor.

[@LioraFarkovitz]

Geeli Mitti points out that concrete has its place, but not in cob material/homes. I wouldn't want to be coerced into putting cement in my stuff. I've handbuilt pottery all my life. This is the most natural thing in the world. I love raku the most... So tired of all the double standards in the US.

[@emanuellongoria9412]

As for the sand alone - is that usually brought in (sea dredging) or just what type of sand and where do you source it usually ? Is that a more expensive component?

[@thiscobhouse]

Sand is normally bought at any soil depot. Sand is one of the most inexpensive components.

[@Shanmammy]

What if there is a leak in the pipes? How do you go about getting to the leak and then repair the cob?

[@thiscobhouse]

I do not recommend putting any water pipes through/in cob walls. I have strategies for where to put pipes.

[@cetteenriquez5169]

I am from the Philippines i want to learn more thanks

[@pla4825]

thank you i really appreciate is video i live in the bay area in oakland, ca what about earth quakes

[@vztezcreenrij8910]

They are quite resistant to earthquakes.

[@reign110476]

I am interested do you have a book about vob house making?

[@olindatime8697]

Thanks for this. So confirming, your 20% clay in the cob mix is actually a sub-soil that has clay mixed in it? i.e. you don't separate the clay?

[@thiscobhouse]

That's correct. Just subsoil with about 20% of clay in it will do great.

[@authorcharlieg]

Two questions concerning the opposite ends of a potential cob home. First, this home would be built in eastern California. This is high fire, high earthquake country. As a result, the idea for the foundation would have a think concrete floor with 40 some-odd basalt columns for this 3000 square foot building. Crossbeams would be basalt-reinforced steel beams. The home would be built upon the beams. Would this help with earthquakes? Then comes the ceiling. With a steel roof that has solar panels, how do you put a ceiling on this thing? Do we have basalt-reinforced rebar spanning this thing and then put concrete under the rebar? How do we then attach the cob to roof? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@craftydora8994]

can we use salt water instead of fresh water?

[@magatism]

I think you can, salt creates aggregates over time as strong as stone.

[@oloierdorel6759]

Thanssss!!!!!!!

[@ginasmyhealthymealz4u90]

Agree!

[@bananapatch9118]

So my initial steps would be- Buy land, dig well, and set up septic ….then build the cob house, right ? Thx !

[@maehay4065]

How about age and Heath issues? Are there resources available for seniors.

[@whowillyoucallonthen4292]

What is the exact difference between adobe & cob? And, by the former, I mean even that with a thin layer of mud over it. Thanks in advance.

[@wisewoman7906]

I thought 'adobe' as far as Building Codes go, required mixing in some cement to the cob mixture. I thought that's what Alex said.

[@cyramclennan2580]

My dad has a piece of property behind his house and im trying to figure out how to start building something affordable. We are living in an apartment and it is just sucking our soul and are looking to live in a canvas wall tent while building! I have a very unique idea in mind like a dream of how i want my home to look. I want to have like a village of tiny circle cob homes laid out in a outer circle and in between the circle of cob homes, I want a greenhouse to connect them all to make it feel like an earthen mansion 😂 not sure how feasible it is but hey a woman can only dream! Now to getting my hubby on board 😅 ha

[@redfoot69]

what is average tempature in cob house during summer and winter

[@saraelias8159]

I live in Maryland and I’m trying to find information if I’ll be able to use COB I’m hoping what information that you’re going to be sharing with us. I’m gonna be able to link up with someone in Maryland to help me for my dream home in the near future.

[@susanlee9532]

Can you build cob and treat it with linseed oil and wax on the outside so it can be buried and have a living roof? Looking for sort of an earthship design

[@3dclothes889]

That is what I was thinking to make it water proof since rain fall every day where I live. Just make some test blocks and see how it works.

[@foxprojects247]

I wonder if Hemp Straw would make for a strong cob since Hemp bast fiber is quite strong.