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Cob is among the oldest and most time-tested building methods. Created by combining mud (soils with an adequate mixture of sand and clay) and straw fibers, cob can be used to build both exterior and interior walls, floors, ovens/fireplaces, benches, and other structural and nonstructural elements.

Environmentally sound, often free (if the site soil is suitable), practical in many climates and conditions, easy (and fun!) to mix and build with, cob can be a wonderful medium. Thick cob walls can be load-bearing, but often cob is used as an infill with wooden framing systems. Cob does not offer a great insulation value, but it does contribute thermal mass, making it a good interior wall material in cold climates and an exterior wall material in warmer climates. Many straw bale homes incorporate cob elements, and it’s so much fun to mix and use that we highly recommend you give it a try!

2.1a: Cob house in the UK.

2.1b: (Inset) sculpting a cob fire-place,

2.2a-b: Adobe blocks (Inset) and earth bricks are simple to use and time tested.