Cob: Re: Cob

[David Knowlton]

Darel,

Great thought! I just completed my first self designed and built project: a 
23' x 15' shed with a 10' clearance, to put a gyrocopter in. the building is 
not cob, but uses pressure treated wood, base, regular wood frame, and 
pressure treated plywood - metal roof. i discovered after i built that PT 
plywood is not waterproof! oops. I had to seal and paint the whole 
structure. i also have to sweep around it constantly. it is slightly below 
grade and if leaves and dirt settle it will rot in a heartbeat here in wet 
Tampa.

What does this have to do with Cob?  Even 'standard' construction 
necessitates maintenance. it's all a trade off. maybe my next project will 
be cob


>From: Howard <ecoarchitech at directvinternet.com>
>Reply-To: Howard <ecoarchitech at directvinternet.com>
>To: Darel Henman <henman at it.to-be.co.jp>
>CC: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: Re: Cob: Re: Cob
>Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:16:45 -0500
>
>
>
>Darel Henman wrote:
>
> > To get back to the subject of cob as a building material.
> >
> > All buildings make of whatever materials have to be maintained.
>
>You have touched on the secret to having a building that lasts, it must 
>maintained.
>In this throw away culture we live in maintenance is usually deferred to 
>the next
>owner at best.
>
> >
> >
> > I've not yet seen much written about what goes wrong with cob and how
> > repairs and maintenance should or could be performed.
>
>Actually some of the first material I read about cob was from the Devon 
>Historic
>Building Trust on repair and maintenance of cob buildings.  Also, I suppose 
>because
>Devon has mandated that new construction be of the traditional style, the 
>Devon
>Earth building Association also has material on the subject.  It is all 
>very
>straight forward and Cob Cottage used to make them available, perhaps they 
>still do.
>
>
>
>--
>Howard Switzer
>
>"There is no way to peace, peace is the way"  AJM




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