Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide [Paperback]

Adam Weismann (Author), Katy Bryce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

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.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce run their own building company in Cornwall. They have built and restored many cob buildings, including two-story houses, small studios, and garden rooms, outside courtyards, fireplaces, and earth ovens. In 2003 they won a Pioneers to the Nation award from Queen Elizabeth II. They live in Manaccan, Cornwall, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Green Books (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903998727
• ISBN-13: 978-1903998724
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "One stop" book for cob building, June 16, 2007

By 

A Deist "DJ" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Paperback)

Those of you who have read "The Hand-Sculpted House" by Ianto Evans will like this book. It is an excellent guide to building with cob. I felt that every aspect of building a house was covered in enough detail that you could start building with cob if you were even a little bit handy. Although building a house is covered well, it includes building fireplaces and cob ovens, too.

I paid forty five dollars for my copy at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair and see now that I could have saved fifteen dollars. Still, if you are looking for just one book to cover many aspects of using cob then you won't go wrong with this book.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative book, May 13, 2006

By 

O. R. Helsloot (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Paperback)

This book shows you the ins and outs of cob building. It's very pleasant to read and a must for everyone interested in natural building. I own many books on natural building (mostly American) and find the views of the authors refreshing. You will not find claims of houses built for USD 15.000 or less in this book! No mumbojumbo, but just the bare facts in all of their beauty. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book as it will give you hours of reading pleasure.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential guide, July 24, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide (Paperback)

If you want to create a cob structure, BUILDING WITH COB: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE is the item of choice, whether it be for a home or an outbuilding. Photos by Ray Main accompany details on how to pair cob building requirements with local construction codes and standards, offering both construction and overall maintenance guidelines. From different kinds of thatch and their lifespans to manufactured paint choices, BUILDING WITH COB is an essential guide.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch