Cob: cob domes

Wed Oct 2 12:58:11 CDT 2002

Hi cob people. I've never built a dwelling of any kind before. I've always
been interested in so
called "primative" building techniques and types. I have a particular
fondness for dome structures.
I've seen the Cal Earth site and bought one of their books on ceramic
architecture. I also own the
book"Native American Architecture". I know most of the people on this list
seem to be concerned
with the more traditional ways of building with cob but I am for whatever
reason obsessed with the
notion of constructing a domical wooden frame (think wigwam or grass house
frame) or series of connected
domical frames which I would then weave smaller skinny branches through
(wattle) and then cover this
inside and out with cob or other earth type covering. I understand the
concern over rain in regard to the
roof and all that but has anyone even tried this if only as an experimental
structure? I'm assuming some
type of extra covering would be needed for the roof portion. Could such a
structure be fired or would the 
wood framework burn out and cause massive failure of the structure? I'm
thinking of such a structure
for use as a cabin or as a small studio(I'm an artist), not as a permanent
dwelling necessarilly. Any thoughts?

- Ben   
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Hi cob people. I've never built a dwelling of any kind before. I've always been interested in so
 called "primative" building techniques and types. I have a particular fondness for dome structures.
 I've seen the Cal Earth site and bought one of their books on ceramic architecture. I also own the
 book"Native American Architecture". I know most of the people on this list seem to be concerned
 with the more traditional ways of building with cob but I am for whatever reason obsessed with the
 notion of constructing a domical wooden frame (think wigwam or grass house frame) or series of connected
 domical frames which I would then weave smaller skinny branches through (wattle) and then cover this
 inside and out with cob or other earth type covering. I understand the concern over rain in regard to the
 roof and all that but has anyone even tried this if only as an experimental structure? I'm assuming some
 type of extra covering would be needed for the roof portion. Could such a structure be fired or would the 
 wood framework burn out and cause massive failure of the structure? I'm thinking of such a structure
 for use as a cabin or as a small studio(I'm an artist), not as a permanent dwelling necessarilly. Any thoughts?

<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">- Ben   </FONT>
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