Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Sustainable Building)

With the increased interest in creating more environmentally sound dwellings as well as a need for less expensive housing, building with cob is an intriguing method that satisfies both desires. Home owners can build their own homes with materials that are local and sustainable. Building with cob may be fairly labor intensive, but the rewards can be countless. "Building with cob, a step-by-step guide" by Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce gives you an in-depth look at many of the items you need to consider when planning to build a cob home as well as the instructions on how to do it yourself. The book includes 13 chapters packed with information. Chapter 1 - Earth Building around the world Natural building with the materials that are local and easily available has always been a popular choice. There are many earth buildings around the world. In this chapter the authors discuss the vast range of earth buildings and provide an outline of their history. Chapter 2 - Site & Design This chapter gives you some great tips about what to look for in a property as well as how to situate your home. It discusses things like the best way to capitalize on passive solar and other environmental considerations. Chapter 3 - Identifying and testing soil Knowing exactly what kind of soil you are working with is essential so that you can include the right materials in your cob mix. Chapter 4 - How to make a cob mix The fun part! Instructions on mixing cob with your feet are included as well as other methods which the authors have worked. Detailed information is included so you'll know if your have it right. Chapter 5 - Foundations Any building is only as good as the foundation it is placed on. Included in this chapter is how to create the best possible foundation so your building can last for generations. Chapter 6 - Building with cob How exactly does all this mud turn into a structure? This chapter describes multiple ways to build as well as discussing drying times and other important details. Chapter 7 - Roofs For cob to stand the test of time, it needs a good roof. Different types of roofing choices are discussed including the option of creating a turf roof. Specific instructions for creating a living roof are included. Chapter 8 - Insulation This chapter discusses your different options and ways to make your home comfortable all year long. They recommend natural materials that are sustainable and renewable. Chapter 9 - Lime & other natural finishes Specific recipes are given to create natural finishes for your home. The tools and methods are described in wonderful detail. Chapter 10 - Earthen floors Yes, your floor can be dirt also. The method to create an earthen floor is mapped out in this chapter. Instructions on how to care for your flooring are included. Chapter 11 - Cob fireplaces & earthen ovens Not everyone will want to put the time and work into creating an entire home, but cob can also be utilized to create wonderful fireplaces and ovens. Varying styles of both are discussed as well as instructions on how to create them. Chapter 12 - Restoration In the UK there are many cob building that have stood the test of time and survived for hundreds of years. Some of these homes are in need of repair and the authors discuss the best ways to make those repairs. They also give you some ideas about what types of problems you are most likely to come across when working with an older cob home. Chapter 13 - Planning permission & building regulations Because this book was written in the UK, all of the information in this chapter is only valid for that area of the world. Different countries and even different states will have varying regulations. If you intend to build a cob home, it is always advisable to check with your local government officials to find out what you need to do to make sure your home is legal and complies with all building codes. Overall, this book is a wonderful primer filled with great information. It also includes many full color photographs that provide both insight and inspiration. Cob building is a growing building medium that creates community as well as structures.

I own tons of cob building books and this one is by far the best one I have found. The examples are clear and easy to understand. The information is honest in what is and is not a good idea when working with cob. The building code section only applies to Europe though, so if you live in the USA you will need a different source for your local cob building coding. I do very much wish there had been more examples of the wonderful art you can do using cob and adobe coatings like carving Celtic knot work coming off the walls around your windows or trees flowing right out of the wall into the room. I was also a bit disappointed there were not many examples of built in niches like book cases, kitchen shelves, reading nooks, etc. because this is a very personal area where cob really shines! I know that would have made the book a lot more expensive though :) so maybe they will print an artistic ideas book to go in this series with their other books. Was somewhat disappointed in his other book " Using Natural Finishes" which I purchased at the same time. There is a big chunk of that book that is exactly word for word what was already published in "Building with Cob" and no artistic uses of the natural finishes. There are less examples in that book of application too. This book however has great diagrams and picture examples

This is a very informative book for those looking into alternative building methods. The amount of detail on how to build a cob structure is more than you will need to make it work for you. I've not yet began working on my alternative built home, but the information from this book will come in handy on a few aspects of the home that I may look into building with cob. As a side note, building with cob is an extremely labor intensive task and won't happen as quickly as some other alternative building methods. I can't stress this enough and after reading the book you'll be clear that that authors inform you of the same. That said, if you're looking for something as suitable and much quicker to start on the path with, you may want to look into straw bale homes. This book actually turned me off to the idea of a complete cob structure due to the time that would need to go into it. I don't have an army of folks waiting to help me build and when I am ready to build, I want to get it up and ready to move into ASAP. But I digress. If you're wanting cob info, this is the book for you. But if you're new to the idea of alternative building materials there are other books out there for you pertaining other methods that may be more suitable for you, as I found out after reading this book.

This is a good book to use if you need to visualize construction of a cob home. It talks a lot about legal issues that you need to address, how to build with cob and combine it with certain other materials, many of them recycled materials. Has some truly wonderful pictures and a great section on how to make cob fireplaces. The descriptions are great, and the examples are nice. I could have used more information on planning the structure of a home like this, but it was a very good read.

Excellent product

The author ( Adam ) has done great job, making the book intuitive, easy to follow, and very graphical. The book is very visual, with loads of full color pictures, complimenting every chapter. Especially the 3rd and 4th chapters on soil testing, identification and getting the right cob mix is very practical and useful for cob enthusiasts and DIY type of people ( like me ), who might not have extensive knowledge or experience in the field. all in all, its more than worth for the price. invaluable resource, and a must have for all sustainable builders and communities.

Best book I`ve ever seen on cob building! Inspired my 12 year old daughter to design and want to build a cob wall for her room. Lots of tips and advice on "how to"; great reading and nice pictures.

Full of photos and fine diagrams, it is nowhere near as exhaustive as The Hand Sculpted House, but with great, simplifying presentations and neat prose to guide anyone well into natural building.