Cob is an ancient building technology being rediscovered for today’s green home. A gob is a clump of dirt and fiber that can be tossed from builder to builder on a cob work site. If throwing mud isn’t enough, try squishing it between your toes. Cob is traditionally made by mixing sand, clay, straw, and water with bare feet in a labor-intensive yet rewarding process for the do-it-yourselfer.
Building with cob (also called earthen building or natural building) is easy to learn, requires few manufactured resources, and no power tools. Cob walls are very forgiving, and the material is nontoxic, so kids can help with the project.
Because cob homes are hand-sculpted, they lend themselves to unusual shapes and curves. They are a good fit for passive solar design because their one to two foot walls provide impressive thermal mass that keeps the interior temperature stable.
Pipes and wires are laid directly in the wall, and there is no need for vapor barriers, sheetrock, or painting. Different mixtures of the same basic cob materials can produce plasters, floors, and interior structures like sleeping platforms.
Cob builders are typically aware of the benefits of building with local and natural materials. They often incorporate recycled and locally salvaged materials into dwellings that are both beautiful and affordable. Check out these cob homes handbuilt by MudGirls Natural Building Collective.
