[Cob] Best place for Cob

[Dean Sherwin]

Cob originates from Devon, UK - at least the word does, and that is 
one of the places it is most prominent.  It is primarily the geology, 
the soil, that makes for the best cob.  In Devon it is red sandstone 
-outside of the red soil area there is cob, but it is less durable. 
If you found yourself in for example a chalk area, then pise or 
crushed rammed stone would be the material of choice.  In less 
adhesive soils, rammed earth.  Hot & dry, adobe.
As far as the climate, not sure if you mean for comfort or 
durability.  Cob can withstand a good deal of moisture - it's damp in 
Devon -  so long as it has the proverbial good hat and a good pair of 
boots, ie keep direct water and rain penetration off.
Climatically a temperate climate will be best, cob has very little 
insulating properties  but as with adobe in New Mexico, the slow 
temperature swing can aid you if the daily temperatures are hovering 
on each side of comfort.  Cob does definitely not belong in hot moist 
climates because of the difficulty of having large  openings for 
breezes.  But with air conditioning, if you use that, what does it matter.
Dean Sherwin