Building with Cob (a step-by-step guide)

Building with Cob is a beautifully illustrated guide to building homes with England’s answer to adobe, a mix of clay and other materials, for affordable eco-friendly homes (especially popular in Cornwall). Written by a couple who are experts on natural plasters, this book shows how to build homes with a mix of clay sub-soil, aggregate, straw an water to create solid walls onto a stone plinth.

Built without shuttering or forms, the book shows how to design and site cob buildings, and how to make walls, fireplaces, ovens and floors, plus covers natural finishes, planning permission and building regulation approval. Includes 300 colour photos and 85 diagrams. Plus tips on restoring old cob buildings.

Why Cob In England (is better than adobe)

Adobe is a popular form of building abroad, which uses sun-dried earth blocks. But of course in England we don’t get as much sun! Cob buildings can also actually struggle in wet conditions, but does not rely so much on dry weather as adobe, as evidenced by the many pretty cob buildings in Cornwall.

Cob is easier in England as it does not rely on premade sun-dried blocks, and still offers thick earth walls and a hand-made feel. It’s also good to make outbuildings as well as standalone homes.