The Natural Builder Volume 2

As referenced in The Natural House, D. Chiras and Mother Earth News, Issue 203A.  Featured on Do It Yourself Network, "Talk2DIY" (2002).


“Cob” is an old English word for a system of building with earth that has been used throughout the world. Cob is monolithic adobe.  A cob structure is one big block of adobe.  Since cob is a form of adobe, Volume 1 of this series is also recommended.  The Natural Builder, Volume 1: Creating Architecture from Earth, assists the reader to have a better understanding of soil testing, structural engineering, building techniques and building code issues that are applicable to monolithic adobe or cob construction.

Webster’s Dictionary defines cob as a mixture that consists of unburned clay usually with straw as a binder that is used to build walls.  Cob construction has nothing to do with the byproduct of corn or with webs.  It is similar to adobe, but much simpler since no adobe blocks need to be made prior to construction.  It is also a truly recyclable building material.  

Cob and straw have been used to create wonderful structures that can last for centuries.  Earthen buildings, including cob, are the most commonly built structures in the world.  


This book can also be helpful to an owner/builder in dealing with their local building department.  The information contained within this book will allow a building permit applicant to clearly express why they want to build with natural materials and how they intend to build with them.  

Through extensive footnoting, this book can show officials and the reader exactly where the information has been referenced, thereby increasing the applicant’s credibility.  Most building departments have not yet dealt with many aspects of natural building.  This book can help educate both the owner/builder and the building official charged with overseeing the project.


This book is intended to be a reference guide or research compendium.  Publications regarding earthen construction have been read, digested, annotated, organized and each annotation has been marked with footnotes so that the reader can find the original citation and any further information and illustrations concerning the topic of interest.  Duplicate information from various sources has been weeded out to provide the reader with a brief, easy to read, detailed profile of various aspects of building with natural material.  Author’s statements are noted in [brackets].


This book can also be helpful to an owner/builder in dealing with their local building department.  The information contained within this book will allow a building permit applicant to clearly express why they want to build with natural materials and how they intend to build with them.  

Through extensive footnoting, this book can show officials and the reader exactly where the information has been referenced, thereby increasing the applicant’s credibility.  Most building departments have not yet dealt with many aspects of natural building.  This book can help educate both the owner/builder and the building official charged with overseeing the project.