Cob is a centuries old method of constuction. "Cob" is an Old English word referring to a lump, a gob of earth. Rounded masses of earth - specifically on-site sand and clay, plus straw and water - are stacked and squashed together to make solid walls with excellent thermal and mechanical characteristics. Once built, a cob constructed house is easier to remodel than one made by conventional stick-frame construction. It will also be stronger against winds and nearly impervious to fire.
If squashing gobs of clay sounds more like a school art project than serious home construction, then you understand already the fun side of cob. But it is indeed a serious contender for construction of homes and other types of buildings. In England, many thousands of homes are built of cob, many with squared corners and for all first appearances, not too different from housed made by timber and conventional techniques. Cob resembles adobe, popular in arid regions.
Though cob construction had nearly disappeared in the US for many decades, interest is growing. Every year more information is available in books and on websites. These sources provide terminology, ideas, inspiration, lists of tools, and pictures but of course can't give you any direct hands-on experience. We offer workshops to provide that.
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Learn about cob construction - get some hands on experience! COB WORKSHOP -- in northern Colorado, not too far from Fort Collins. A modest construction project in a peaceful rural area will provide hands-on experience for those interested in cob homes. Details on our workshops page. |