Building with Cob: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Adam Weismann, Katy Bryce

Overview

The ancient method of cob building uses a simple mixture of clay sub-soil, aggregate, straw and water to create solid structural walls built without shuttering or forms, onto a stone plinth.
It is now undergoing a renaissance as an 'eco-friendly' building material because of its amazing 'green' credentials. 'Building with Cob' shows how to apply this ancient technique in a wide variety of contemporary situations, covering everything from design and siting, mixing, building walls, fireplaces, ovens and floors, lime and other natural finishes, and gaining planning permission and building regulation approval. It also explains in detail how to sensitively restore an old cob structure. This book is a step-by-step guide, lavishly illustrated with over 300 colour photos and 85 diagrams.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781903998724
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	02/15/2006
Series:	Sustainable Building , #1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	8.05(w) x 10.05(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce work with lime and clay on a daily basis through their company, Clayworks. They learnt these skills through restoring ancient vernacular buildings in Cornwall, and then began to apply the traditional techniques and materials to contemporary ‘eco’ builds. They have a passionate belief in the power of using these natural materials to benefit the health and well being of people, buildings and the environment. Adam and Katy are the authors of Building with Cob and Using Natural Finishes for Green Books.

Table of Contents

History of Earth Building around the World
Design and Siting
Soils: Identifying and Testing
How to Make a Cob Mix Foundations
Building with Cob
Roofs
Insulation
Natural Finishes
Earthen Floors
Fire and Cob
Restoration
Planning and Building
Regulations
Conclusion
Resources and Suppliers
 

Editorial Reviews

This has got to be the most practical and beautifully illustrated books on earth building ever published!”  —Keith Hall, editor, Building for a Future magazine

From the Publisher