[Cob] Cob in the cold, with bears

[Iona Fairlight Hawken]

Bill--
Wow thank you for taking the time to write to me. I am trying to understand how the cob and bales connect. Do you plaster the cob into the bales or build the cob up from the ground the usual way? How does the cob connect to the bales? How thick is the cob in bale-cob?

Would you consider sharing photos of the process of your bale-cob building so I can understand visually the connections and also the reciprocal roof?

I want it to be round so that's perfect.

Also, I love light but am wondering how to build a cob-bale house with lots of Windows (and without bears breaking them)...

I never knew about a rocket mass heater! Looks ideal for a cold climate. What about radiant heating integrated into the whole house (and into the cob walls)? Does anyone do that? 

Best
Iona 

> On Apr 4, 2017, at 12:56 PM, Bill Wright <bill at auburnacupuncture.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Iona,
> If I were in your shoes I would also suggest, "bale-cob". Cut straw bales in 1/2 lengthwise, or use them whole. Use a cob straightening coat on the inside and the outside 2-3" thick over the bales. I would also suggest you make it round and make it as small as you can get away with. Bears won't be able to get thru bale-cob; not that I've had to test it ;^) but my building is bale-cob, and it's amazingly strong. I staked the bales together w/ 4' stakes, pinning each row to the one beneath it, and stacked like bricks.
> 
> Again if it were me. . . I would put a reciprocal roof up first and build the walls in after that. Reciprocal roof w/ a living/earthen roof that is. Conversely, you could put the walls up, and put the reciprocal roof on them w/ a cable tension ring. Or if you have access to timbers, build your ring 1st out of timbers, and put the reciprocal roof on that. If you don't like the idea of bales, then I would suggest cordwood cob, especially if you want to do it during a short building season in the North Eastern US.
> 
> Have you decided on a heat source? Have you considered a Rocket Mass Heater? 
> 
> Happy Building!
> Bill
> 
> Bill Wright, L.Ac., DNBAO
> Wright Acupuncture and Massage
> 251 Auburn Ravine Rd., Ste. #205
> Auburn, CA 95603
> 530-886-8927
> "There is no path to healing, healing is the path" 
> 
> 
>> On Apr 3, 2017, at 7:13 PM, Iona Fairlight Hawken <ionahawken at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all--
>> This has probably been covered before, but if I really want to build a cob house in a very cold area (like Maine), what are the options? Can I build a double cob wall with insulation (wool?) in between? 
>> Also, is cob vulnerable if a hungry bear is trying to enter? Or would it withstand a bear? 
>> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
>> Best, Iona 
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