by Alex | Mar 4, 2017 | Building Codes & Permits, Cob, Designs, Videos
Modern Cob House Design 101 is a video presentation I put together on the main components and principles of designing a cob or earthen home for the standards of the 21st century. This is a value packed video for beginners and for experts. Here are the topics...
by Alex | Mar 3, 2017 | Cob, General, Videos
Building a cob house can seem like a daunting project to undertake, but with the right knowledge it is a great option for do-it-yourself builders. The more understanding and information you have about cob building, the more prepared you will be for a successful...
by Alex | Oct 11, 2016 | Cob, Foundations, Videos
In the cob building community we have a problem. We are building really bad foundations! I’ve seen some foundations literally “melt” before my eyes. Really sad story there, by the way. But I digress… Its time to turn this problem around. And I want to help all of you...
by Alex | Apr 7, 2016 | Cob, General
How to Make Cob – The Tarp Method There are many ways to make cob. One of the most common and regularly-practiced techniques in North America is called the “tarp method” of cob mixing. This method can be done by yourself or with one other person. You will need a...
by Alex | Mar 29, 2016 | Cob, Cob Ovens, Foundations
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, its already Spring again! That means it’s the ideal time to begin working with cob. And if you’re one of the many people who want to start learning earth building skills, now is the best time to get started. Start small and...
by Alex | Feb 4, 2016 | Cob, General, Natural Finishing, Walls
I keep getting a lot of questions about humidity issues with cob buildings. So I want to speak a bit more on this topic with you today. Keeping a balanced level of indoor humidity is important to maintaining a healthy living environment and preventing mold and fungus...
by Alex | Jan 14, 2016 | Cob, Walls
Every time I hold a cob building workshop I have at least one student ask me if you can build cob walls by placing wet cob into formwork. They ask this question because they have an interest in keeping the walls straight and well formed. This technique is called...
by Alex | Aug 10, 2015 | General, Natural Finishing, Remodeling
Natural Remodeling? Apply Limewash Paint Here is a simple, yet functional, way to start your natural remodeling by using a limewash paint. Unfortunately, we can’t all have our own naturally built home created out of materials of earth and straw. We can however...
by Alex | Jun 23, 2015 | Cob, General
Building a home is a major undertaking that will cost you a lot of money and time. It can be like putting together a large three dimensional puzzle that must also be able to interact with the environment and the conditions around it. Building a home is also a lot of...
by Alex | May 30, 2015 | Cob, Foundations, General, Materials
This morning, I received an email newsletter from a prominent Natural Builder explaining why they had chosen to build a stemwall foundation using earthbags. I was really surprised when I read this email! Especially when I saw that they were actually filling the...
