[Cob] Timberframe infill (Damon Howell)(Bob Smolen)

[Monica Proulx]

Bob,

Damon has a great suggestion about the light straw clay infill.  It's
insulative, a form of cob (if you will) as it includes the clay and straw
but in different ratios than the cob you were thinking of (no sand), and
it's beautiful!  You should seriously consider it.

Go here to this NYT article on a house in Austin, Texas, that Gary Zuker and
his wife built a decade plus ago, using this same combination of light straw
clay and timber frame:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/greathomesanddestinations/31away.html

Google his name and Austin, Texas and house, etc., for other links and more
photos.

Good luck!

Monica



>
> > I built a 20x24 timberframe using 10x10 white pine for the bottom
> > plate which sits on concrete piers...The unsupported span would be
> > 10ft max. Could I infill with cob directly or should I first add
> > support under the bottom plate. Should I use a barrier between the
> > wood and cob?
>
>        You definitely want to support cob with a stronger foundation than
> your timber frame. I would not build cob on concrete piers,
> especially spaced 10 feet apart, because it will crack the cob and
> possibly eventually collapse your building. If it was a continuous
> foundation it would be ok. You wouldn't need a barrier between the
> wood and cob. Seriously consider light straw clay instead of cob.
> It's specifically for your project because cob is too heavy.
>
> Damon
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