I want to make a model of the old English Cob house for a school project, does anyone know what the mixure is that is used? All I could find was straw, sand & clay, is there a certain amount of each? They might also have a "lime plaster" finish. All that I could find on the web was for courses & no information.

Thank you Susan

-- Susan Crook (wolvesinthemist@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002

Answers

Click here for information on the Cob Email List-Server. Someone on the list might be able to help you. Also, you can search the archives.

You might also want to contact Contact Cob Cottage Company, Box 123, Cottage Grove, OR 97424, Phone (541) 942-2005. They do workshops, but might also help you with your school project.

You could also email Michael Smith who "was a founding director of the Cob Cottage Company. He is the author of The Cobber's Companion and teaches natural building and permaculture throughout the western United States, Canada and Mexico." (got this info. from this web site)

Good luck! Sounds like fun!

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), March 26, 2002.

Susan, A worthy project that could germinate some thinking about conserving energy and earth's resources.

Many years ago in WW2 Southern England, I lived in one that was buit in the 1700's. It had a thatched roof - metal covered because thatchers were almost extinct at that time, was virtually soundproof (downside; couldn't hear the sirens, so didn't know about air raids until we heard the anti-aircraft shrapnel and one incendiary bomb bouncing off the roof), cool in summer and warm in winter,if we kept the drafts chinked.

The Cottage Grove OR lead may be good. I'm a bit out of date, but it used to be THE cob building centre. You may also try Becky Bee cobalot@hotmail.com ; she's a good soul and may be able to help.

If you are really ambitious and are going for the authentic thatch, you might try bog reed (juncus effusa) as a miniature straw substitute; it grows almost everywhere. Also, you might check your library for "The Guide to Self Sufficiency" and "The Forgotten Crafts", both by John Seymour.

-- Griff in OR (griff@hangnail.com), March 27, 2002.

Susan, there reslly isn't a "recipe" as such. Take a little of your straw and mix in your clay, sand, and water until the straw is well coated. Make a "loaf" out of it and put it in the sun until it dries. Pick it up and drop it onto a hard surface. If it holds tog well then your mix is ok. If it shatters you need less sand more clay. Don't let the straw soak up too much water. Just mess around with it until you get it right. To make your walls you just stack the wet loafs (cobs) a few high at a time and let it dry to leather like consistancy before you do another round. If it dries out completely you will need to dampen the top layer before you add to it. Here is a good site for lime plasters. http://www.northcoast.com/~tms/lime.html

-- kim in CO (kimk61252@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.