Description
Book SynopsisEssential Cob Construction presents both hands-on and rigorous technical information on how to build code compliant, low-embodied carbon, and fire- and earthquake-resistant buildings from cob – a mix of clay, sand and straw. The definitive cob guide for engineers, architects, designers, contractors, and owner-builders.
Trade ReviewTo save our precious Earth, we need to build with our precious earth. This book describes and details the practice of place-based cob construction, an ancient method that is more timely now than ever before. It is an affordable and ecological way to create better housing for more people throughout the world.
—Paul Hawken, environmentalist, entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author of The Ecology of Commerce, Drawdown, and Regeneration
At last!—the book we've been waiting for, by just the right authors! Anthony, Massey, and Michael are the perfect team who know the joy of getting your hands dirty and building with friends, study and appreciate the rich and venerable traditions of earthen architecture, and can bring it all into the 21st century with the engineering that modern construction requires. Well done!
—Bruce King, PE, director, Ecological Building Network, co-author, Build Beyond Zero and The New Carbon Architecture
This comprehensive book goes beyond essential. It covers virtually every aspect of cob construction and is written by a team who have decades of experience with muddy, hands-on building and engineering design. They have written what is literally the current state of the art, from the building science to the prescriptive codes that will allow cob to more easily be employed legally in many jurisdictions. All of this is lavishly illustrated with photos and diagrams showing both the beauty and the nitty gritty how-to of cob construction.
—Kelly Hart, greenhomebuilding.com, www.naturalbuildingblog.com, author, Essential Earthbag Construction
Essential Cob Construction is a comprehensive and timely addition to the literature on cob building. In addition to the wealth of experience and practical information for builders, much-needed technical and structural guidance is provided to enable the design, permitting, and construction of safe and durable cob buildings as cob gains wider and more diverse use.
—David Eisenberg, director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology
Absolutely fabulous! This simple description applies whether you are reading this book for inspiration, for details, for scientific data, or for ideas. Thank you Michael, Anthony, and Massey for writing what really is the ESSENTIAL book on cob construction.
—Gord Baird, co-owner/builder, Eco-Sense, co-author, Essential Composting Toilets
A comprehensive guide and reference every builder should have. Answering questions about design, function, strength, and safety, Essential Cob Construction will do a lot to make cob an accessible part of the building lexicon.
—John Curry and Kindra Welch, cob builders and designers, ClaySandStraw
Essential Cob Construction is the cob manual the building industry needs. The step-by-step guides to engineering, design, and building are clear and well laid-out. Filled with excellent photos, this manual brings together the mind and heart of a very human building material, and offers hope that we are moving forward with ancient and modern approaches to our built environment.
—Sukita Reay Crimmel, founder, Claylin Earthen Floors, co-author, Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice
Anthony, Michael, and Massey have given us an excellent resource for dreaming, designing, and building with cob. Not only that, they've managed to work in a healthy amount of history, engineering methodology, and helpful advice that ties this blend of clay, sand, and straw to many other earthen building techniques used around the world. Bravo!
—Tim Krahn, P. Eng., author, Essential Rammed Earth Construction
What an excellent resource for both the natural building and conventional building communities. This is a groundbreaking book that will help to inspire and inform anyone who reads it with an interest in cob and/or natural building.
—Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, co-founders, Clayworks, authors, Building with Cob and Clay and Lime Renders Plasters and Paints
The authors of Essential Cob Construction have crafted a masterpiece of knowledge. This book contains an encyclopedic amount of information, covering all essential aspects of cob construction, from its historical and cultural context to its technical performance, practical applications, and architectural potential.
—Jacob Deva Racusin, director, Building Science and Sustainability, New Frameworks, author, Essential Building Science
Essential Cob Construction brings modern knowledge to an age-old material, and empowers readers to build climate-appropriate cob walls. Finally, a book on cob that includes construction timing, work site planning, tool lists, and recipes! Kudos!
—Sigi Koko, founder, Down to Earth Design, buildnaturally.com
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Building Science
Chapter 3: Materials and Tools
Chapter 4: Mixes and Mixing
Chapter 5: Building Cob Walls
Chapter 6: Architectural Design
Chapter 7: Structural Design
Chapter 8: Foundations, Floors, and Roofs
Chapter 9: Finishes
Chapter 10: Building Codes and Permits
Chapter 11: Planning, Budgeting, and Getting Help
Glossary: Terminology
Appendix 1: Full IRC Appendix AU
Appendix 2: Life Cycle Analysis
Appendix 3: Bibliography and Resources
