Cob: RE: Size of buildings

[Patrick Newberry]

I don't think it's a single answer. One must look at the other variables
as well. 
For example: 
How much time and effort do you want to expend?
How many people are going to live in the structure
etc. 
My house is 1600 sqft. 

I'm on year three but I lost a fair portion of one year due to my wife's
illness. 
I do have my walls inclosed and am working on finish plasters and
floors. 

In hind sight, I might start off smaller, completing a section, then add
on but 
hey, I ain't changing now!

But anyway, think about the whole picture, your ussage, your time, the
amount of help 
you will have, etc. 

Pat Newberry
www.gypsyfarm.com


-----Original Message-----
From: planetcow [mailto:planetcow at mac.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 11:44 AM
To: coblist at deatech.com
Subject: Cob: Size of buildings


Hi. I've been reading the postings to the list for quite a few months
now
and have come up with a question. Actually, I have many questions but
this
is the most basic one I can think of; I'll be back with more, rest
assured.

OK, I'd like to build a cob house on some gently sloping land (which is
the
subject of another question, but we'll deal with that another time) that
I
own in West Virginia. I've read and heard many times that cob
construction
favors small buildings. When does a "small" building stop being "small"
and
start becoming "medium" or "large"? Numbers would be helpful; I'm
thinking
900-1000 square feet for a single story house, or split between two
stories
of 400-500 sf each, is a good size. Is this too big?

Thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Tulasi