Cob: Building cob in the shade

[Ocean]

Hi Peter,

Regarding our cob kiva, it isn't heated in the winter, since it's a
retreat space.  But we can heat it up in a couple hours with our rocket
stove.  And this is during the rainy, dark winter too, with little
sunlight.

I suggest you talk about your cabin idea with Ianto Evans at Cob
Cottage Company,  phone 541-942-2005.  He strongly advises against
building cob houses on North facing slopes (zero winter sun), but if
you have a wooded stand with South-Easterly exposure you should conside
some selective thinning of the trees to open up the site for sunlight
(and get firewood/lumber for building & heating). 

Any house would be healthier with some sun, whether wood, strawbale,
cob, etc.  Houses in completely shaded areas end up with lots of
mold/mildew problems, and in general are much harder to keep warm in
the winter.  Some shade on the west side is desirable to avoid
overheating in the summer.

Good luck!

Ocean
-----------------------
You wrote:
 I have newly come to learning about COB.  I have a
place that I thought that a COB cabin would make a
good replacement for an old falling apart trailer. 
But here you are talking about having heat in the
building every day.

How would it work for a cabin that would only get
occasional use?  Would it take for ever to heat it
backup?  Would it be very damp when not heated?  

The location is in the coast range in NW Oregon
(damp).  And unfortuntly it does not have good solar
gain (it is surrounded by timber).  But a COB cabin
would fit in to the location good and I like the idea
of a freeform building.

I look forward to any advice.

Peter

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