[Cob] Mendo project this summer

[otherfish]

Hi Orion,
Since you are in Mendocino County, you have Class K as an option, if you are
planning to get a building permit.
If you are & need signed / stamped plans to satisfy  the building
department, I can assist.  I'm the architect that helped Katie Jean get the
Class K permit she needed for her cob house near Willits.

By the way, in a post and beam structure with cob it is CRITICAL that you
tie your cob into the building frame if you do the cob as infill.  Cob needs
to be either an integral load bearing system, or if it's done as infill the
cob needs to be restrained at the ends & top of the wall by the building
frame.  This is in order to achieve seismic stability of the infill cob wall
sections.

regards,
john fordice - architect

on 1/14/04 10:04 AM, orion walker at orion_w at hotmail.com wrote:

> 
> Hi folks, I've been lurking for a bit, catching up on threads and
> such.  I am getting ready to take the plunge.  My wife and I will be
> building a small cobin (like cabin, but with cob) outside of Ukiah Ca.
> this summer.  I have some questions, and in general would like any
> words of advise, support, caution.
> 
> Here's the project as I envision it so far:
> 
> about 400sq ft. not including loft space
> 
> post and beam structure built with Fir trees thinned from the
> property
> 
> combination of cob and strawbale, about 50/50.
> 
> budget: 5k
> 
> My level of experience is fairly low.  I've read Hand Sculpted, and a
> few strawbale books.  I've surfed the web a whole lot.  I've attended
> a one day cob building workshop with Michael Smith, and a two day
> straw bale workshop, and I've talked to some folks that know a fair
> bit.
> 
> I am hoping to get as much volunteer help as possible.  I have a
> beautiful piece of land where people can camp, with some access to
> kitchen, shower and outhouse.
> 
> I'm planning on hosting a reunion from college, of 25 people for
> perhaps at least a weekend, perhaps a week.  I'm also hoping to do
> other formal or informal workshops.  I know there are a number of
> experienced cobers in the area, so I'm hoping to lure some of them up
> for direction at times too.
> 
> A few of my questions at this stage:
> 
> Anyone have a good idea of how much infloor heating costs?  about 2k
> for a 400sqft?  is it possible to do it cheaper?
> 
> I've been leaning towards a poured concrete slab foundation, I know
> it's not the most ecological, but I'm a bit intimidated by the amount
> of work for some of the other methods, and I either have a bit of a
> slope, or a fair amount of leveling to do.  Thoughts?
> 
> And I guess before I get carried away with too many specifics, a
> general question:  We have just settled on our site, I have done some
> initial soil tests (and it does look like we have good clay, but
> little sand), I have been spending lots of time sketching floor plans
> and am getting closer to a firm design.  For those who have been here,
> does this sound like a good place to be as far as time line?  I'm
> hoping to get the post and beam up in May or June, and spend the rest
> of the summer on the rest.  One concern is that we both have to keep
> working, at least part time over the summer, I'm hoping to make up for
> that with the volunteers and workshops mentioned above.  Thoughts,
> ideas, interested in helping?
> 
> Thanks much,
> 
> -Orion
> 
> 
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