Cob: sacrilege

[Ocean]

Sacrilege indeed!  But we True Cob Believers must remain steady even in 
the face of Building Inspector Blasphemy!

Waterproofing cob is a real challenge.  Cob needs a breathable surface, 
or else moisture will be trapped, the straw will rot and the cob will 
fail.

We've water glassed the restaurant cob walls (sodium silicate) but they 
still breath, and with enough water sprayed on by say a hose, they still 
come apart.

A bench provides the additional weakness of presenting a horizontal 
surface for where water will pool and ultimately penetrate deeply.  I've 
heard of lime plasters, but I don't know...anyone out there?

Regarding the draconian city, just design some simple free standing 
framed roofs (which can be code-approved), which provide the additional 
benefit of allowing someone to sit out a rain storm!

Blessings,
Ocean


On Wednesday, August 14, 2002, at 01:56 PM, David Kammer wrote:

> Hi All,
> I'm working with a local p-patch (community garden)
> that is very interested in having a few cob benches
> built.  Unfortunately, due to some draconian city
> codes, and some semi-draconian city inspectors, the
> group is very nervous about putting up roofing
> structures over the benches.  Is there any ways of
> finishing off a bench so that it doesn't require a
> roof? The group has said that they are willing to look
> at, if necessary, (and here comes the sacrilege)
> un-natural compounds?  Ideally I would like to do the
> whole project with a clean and clear conscious and
> building ethic, but I would rather see the benches
> built of cob with some kind of an evil coating than
> see them built from entirely evil things like PTL.
> Thoughts, ideas, suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
>
>
>
>
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Ocean Liff-Anderson

Steward of Ahimsa Sanctuary (check out our newly updated website!!!!!)
http://www.peacemaking.org

Owner/Manager of Intaba's Kitchen (best food and coolest cob ambiance on 
the west coast!)
http://www.intabas.com
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