[Cob] Re: Coblist Digest, Vol 2, Issue 64

[Jennifer Hileman-Reinhart]

I must take a moment to clarify -

> The original writer was arguing that
> since Mexican women "plaster" their houses, why anybody can plaster
> strawbale.  Might say, that doesn't...hold.....water......

I think this would qualify as putting words in my mouth - let me take a 
moment to clarify my statement that I seem to have not been clear 
enough about the first time around -

First - I believe that there are some very interesting styles of 
plastering from mexico that use lime that they obtain locally -  it is 
not just smearing mud on the walls that they are doing. Considering 
that mexico is a large country of varied climate and culture I would 
say that your comments on what I was referencing were based in some 
pretty generalized american southwest stereotypes - So let me clarify 
as I was not overly specific in my first post - there are mexican women 
who plaster (with beautiful lime plasters in the most amazing and 
incredible and vibrant colors you will see) each year and they are not 
"professionals"  by the american definition of a licensed contractor 
working on a permitted job site. . . .

What I am saying is that plastering a home is something that anyone can 
learn how to do.  It is not very mysterious, nor is it rocket science.  
These women have learned to be sustainable in their environment with 
indigenous materials.  I am proposing that others can learn to do the 
same.  My statement about plastering was relevant to my argument that 
folks can learn these skills - you do not need professionals to build a 
home.  Anybody who cares to learn can plaster strawbale!  I have seen 
that be true four times in the last year months at two different 
building sites in my local area.  Home building is something that can 
be reclaimed by the homeowner rather than the general contractor out to 
make a buck.

In the natural plaster book by Cedar Rose and Daniel Chiras they go 
into great detail about how to use earth plasters - it is an excellent 
resource for anyone who is interested.  Experimentation can happen with 
a garden wall or bench - it need not be a house.

Cedar Rose is teaching a workshop in Michigan at the Strawbale Studio, 
mid september, another excellent opportunity.

Someone more qualified please feel free to offer the details but my 
reading suggests that the mold problems with bales happen when proper 
ventilation can not occur and/or excess moisture is being wicked up 
through a foundation and if you take precautions with the foundation 
and are using a natural plaster some of those risks are minimized as 
excess moisture can leave the walls - my notes from a recent workshop 
state that cob maintains a 3-5% moisture content - lower than the 
moisture that becomes trapped in your average home.  I am not concerned 
with the bales in our wall being exposed to too much moisture via the 
cob that is touching it even though we have considered what might 
happen if there is a problem.

We will be using all natural plasters (no cement)  earthen and lime to 
finish.  Our overhang and foundation will protect from weather and 
standing water.

I think that everyone would agree - it is great to hear about the 
mistakes that folks make - if you get the Cob Web publication there is 
a long article in the most recent issue about all the mistakes that one 
owner - builder made.  Interesting read.  But I heard you saying 
something like everyone out there who is experimenting is a threat to 
this movement and must be stopped!  I feel that there must be those who 
are willing to try and fail and learn and share that with others.

We are building a cob/bale wall.  I am pretty sure it will work.  It 
has been done several times in Corvallis, Oregon at the natural 
building school there and recent photo's from a workshop in Wales where 
they built a home this way convinced us that it was worth a try.  
Pretty chilly and damp in Wales but they went for it.

I will also say that in all things in life I have observed that those 
who believe they can not do something are often right as they never 
even try.

Thanks all for your time!
-jenn
__________________________________________________________________
Would the valleys were your streets and the green paths your alleys, 
that you might seek one another through vineyards, and come with the 
fragrance of the earth in your garments.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet_________________________________________