Monthly Archives

March 2011

Mar 26
Love0

All the Work Updates Fit to Print

By Timber Framing, Design, Drainage Trench, Moisture, Wabi-sabi Kitchen

It’s spring, and the building season has officially begun. I’ve been a bit consumed with thinking about building lately — between doing some work around the house, planning for the next building season for the cooperative kitchen, thinking about a new home design, and serving on Dancing Rabbit’s new Common House design committee (we are a group of five tasked with designing a new common house intended to serve a population of 150 people), I have plenty to think about in the building arena. Sometimes it’s exhausting.

But as soon as I am able to actually do work, and not just think about it, it feels a lot better.

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Mar 09
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The Year of Mud: The Book in the Works

By The Year of Mud Book

Last December, I mentioned the possibility of writing a book about building my cob house. Well, I never got around to it that winter. But this winter, I have made it a priority.

This February, I’ve chomped down and begun the process of writing a book about the experience of building my cob house from the perspective of a first-time builder. It’s important for me to note that even with the current moisture problems, which almost dissuaded me from taking on the project, I decided it would be a worthwhile venture to get some of my writing in print, in a more easily digestible form, including all those things that I’ve learned, including some of the experiences of the past couple months.

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Mar 04
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What Next For The Year Of Mud?

By Design, Moisture, Winter

You might be wondering what’s next for the house, for my living situation, for this website. Gobcobatron needs some help, and it’s clear that a cob house in northeast Missouri is probably not the best idea for a four seasons dwelling. I love my house, but it’s become apparent that this is not the house I am meant to live in for the long haul.

But what will become of it?

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Mar 03
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cob house cold climate

Cob Building is Not Appropriate For This Cold Climate

By Moisture, Winter, Heating

Cob House Cold Climate

There’s something I’ve had to come to terms with living in our cob house, Gobcobatron. Cob is not the most appropriate, responsible building material for this cold climate of northeastern Missouri. This applies to similarly cold climates as well. Sad to say, but that is the reality.

Here are my thoughts on why cob building is not appropriate for cold climates, based on personal experiences and understanding more about the thermal properties of cob.

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