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Work Exchange & Work Parties
Work Exchange: Offer labor for education and experience.
Work Party: Ask for help on your building project in exchange for sharing your knowledge.
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Work Exchange & Work Parties
Work Exchange: Offer labor for education and experience.
Work Party: Ask for help on your building project in exchange for sharing your knowledge.
I’m interested in attending a rocket mass heater workshop somewhere in New England sometime in the next six months (December 2012 to May 2013)
Hello Everyone,
I am Gloria, designer and artist from Italy since last year i have gained some experience in Cob and earth bag building in Oregon and California. I would love to keep on training myself also in different techniques but i can not afford any workshop as i am investing my small founds to travel from site to site and back and forth from europe.
I would love to partecipate as a volunteer in projects in south east US or Mexico. I am flying in in January and I will stay for almost 6 months.
Please contact me and share your beautiful project with me. I can pay you back with all my energy, cooking skills and hugs! ^_^
Gloria
Oops, South west! California, New mexico, Oregon and so on. but, again I can move myself.
CIAO!!
Hi Gloria – Always something happening at Cob Cottage Company in Coquille. Have a couple of work parties coming up and lots starts happening come spring. Drop us an email and we’ll chat. Can also put you in touch with some alumni building down in Mexico right now. Tammy
Hi
I saw your message to Gloria. Do you know of any natural builders in Mexico or does Cob Cottage run any courses in Mexico. I live in Tepoztlan an hour from Mexico and we plan to build from January
Thanks
Hi Tammy, I just found cob (I am currently reading The Hand-Sculpted House by Ianto, Michael and Linda) and I am very interested in learning the craft, but sadly, there aren’t any workshops that I know of until next year. Continuing from Gloria’s post above, would you know of any builders who could use volunteer help in California, Arizona, Oregon or Mexico? Thank you.
Gloria,
Maybe we could talk, if you’re interested in coming to Ontario, Canada during spring/early summer.
Michelle
We can definitely talk about it Michelle!
Thank you for the suggestion.
My mail is gloria.bonifazi@gmail.com, i’d love to keep in touch. I’ve never visited Canada!
Hugs
Hi Gloria,
Yes we would be interested in you coming to volunteer with us but I think it may be better at a later date than January as we are still organising planning permission. If things change by January I I will contactyou. My email vicky_ellaby@hotmail.com if you want to ask me more about the project.
Speak soon
Vicky
Ciao Gloria, did you keep up with the building? And would you have similar information (that you were asking about) to help me now (in the southwest and Mexico)?
Hi there.
This is Cato from Mexico. In case your travelling capabilities reach south of the border, i am sending you a response I`ve sent to other people posting in the forum.
“….. The project is to build 25 kitchens with a wood saving stove included using the superadobe technique. We`ve nine going, in different stages of construction. Six have roofs, two of those have the first coat of plaster, and the last three are waiting for carpenting components. The work is tough but the spirit is high. I am teaching the technique to the farmers in Guaquitepec, Chiolon county (municipio) about one hour northwest from Ocosingo, Chiapas. Pls. visit moradasverdes.weebly.com. There you will see last year project (the building of a rural clinic) and you can fill up the volunteer`s application (sort of). Right now there are three volunteers, one from Mexico, one from Lichtenstein and a girl from Puerto Rico (she is living tomorrow though).
The minimum stay is three weeks. We pay for your transportation from San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, to the community. The people offer you very simple food (beans, rice, tortillas, soup, bad coffee, and lots of smiles. We sleep on mattreses on the floor, and there is not a hot shower. We start our day around 6;15 (getting ready, morning coffee etc) and work from 7, lunch aropund 10 and finish work around 3 pm, monday to saturday. It may sound tough, and it is, but at the same time I feel is worthwhile. i hope to herar from ya.
Saludos
Hola Vicky! please email me!christina.balint@gmail.com my partner and I are heAding to tepoztlan within the next day or so. We hope to get as much cob experience as possible as we are starting our own project at an orphanage in puebla in December.hope to meet you!
My husband Jake and I are very interested in alternative building material and would LOVE to learn in a work exchange. We are in our 20’s, and go from Idaho to Arizona to Oregon most frequently but would be willing to branch out for to learn about Cob house building, or other natural homes.
thanks!
hello,
My name is Arian and I am 23 year old female, who would love to learn about sustainable building such as cob, straw-bale etc…. I’m from Alabama so I would love to stay around the south eastern area but I’m willing to travel. I would love to do a work exchange.
If you happen to know of any workshops in the area please feel free to hit me up.
Thanks,
Arian
Arian,
I am looking for an apprentice for the next building season, which is spring, summer and fall here in Kentucky. I am an experienced builder with cob, and have taught numerous workshops on the subject. A few of my graduates have gone on to build their own homes/art studios. Our building school is Disputanta Cob. Disputanta is a small progressive rural community close to Berea, KY. Email me to start a dialog if you are interested.
Regards,
Diane
Hi Diane, I am a 20 year old looking to learn natural building techniques, I am in Johnson City, TN, just 3 hours from Berea, I currently have obligations here, but would you be taking apprentices during the summer?
Thanks,
Christopher
Christopher,
My web site is http://www.DisputantaCob.com
My email is dianejennings@disputantacob.com
Hey Diane, I’m definitely interested in this. I emailed you through you contact info through your website. Thanks!
hello my 20yr old daughter and i are very interested in apprenticing with you, it is one of our strongest interests and urges to build natural homes ourselves as women and to pass it on. I have 4 daughters and a son and for them alone seek ‘wiser’ ways of building and sustaining ourselves. We are some what experienced, we have taken a course and we are ready to start our own building. We build enviro-log homes, have a small organic heirloom seed and produce company and live off the grid. Please let us know if you still need someone
Cheri and Sevanah
Hi Cheri,
We are still interviewing people interested in the apprenticeship. My email is dianejennings@disputantacob.com
Thanks,
Diane
Hello!
I am 24 years old, male who is very interested in getting hands on experience with cob/straw housing by helping someone with their project so that I learn how to do it. Looking for an experienced cob builder to teach me. I am willing to travel. I have my own truck. I have lived in conditions without electricity and plumbing and am capable of doing that again. I just finished my M.Sc. in ecology and have time on my side. Contact me ASAP. Thanks for reading.
Hi. I’m a twenty year old girl living with my parents in South Eastern Kentucky. I have lots of time on my hands these days and I am interested in learning how to build a house of my own using cob. I’m able bodied and willing to help in exchange for the knowledge needed to create a house of my own on my property. I only travel within the states of KY, TN,VA,West Virginia. Hopefully, someone has a project and needs me
Charily,
I am looking for an apprentice for the next building season, which is spring, summer and fall here in Kentucky. I am an experienced builder with cob, and have taught numerous workshops on the subject. A few of my graduates have gone on to build their own homes/art studios. Our building school is Disputanta Cob. Disputanta is a small progressive rural community close to Berea, KY. Email me to start a dialog if you are interested.
Regards,
Diane
Hello community, Im in town for a few weeks and want help with a cob building project here in Los Angeles area. Thanks for getting in touch if you need more helpers.
We need help…. We have a small project some friends and I… We are in Tuchitlan, Jalisco Mexico… We are building a holistic center… to help the community and its surroundings….
Please help us we need all the help given and granted by you!
we will also receive donations of any kind and every kind! 🙂
Pics and movies will be updated shortly in our website… and youtube channel…. will be up shortly if possible!
PLESE ANY HELP PLEASE EMAIL ME! 🙂
I’m looking for help building a pithouse/cob hybrid house in the South Okanagan, BC. I especially need advice on the foundation and livingroof. I already have the site dug out and am collecting materials to start building for Spring/Summer 2013. I’m considering using earthbags, since I have mounds of sand surrounding the pit right now. Anyone with experience or interested please contact me. Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Have you built/began building your home? I live in the Okanagan and would be very interested in connecting!
I am also wondering if u built and if you are willing to do a viewing and possible tips for building if it all worked out well.
I want to get some hands on experience in various natural building methods/forms such as timber, straw, cob etc … for oven, buildings, if any avail in Northern Ca/Bay area
Hi, I am interested in doing grunt work in exchange for learning how to build one myself. I live in South-West Virginia, I don’t drive.
Thanks.
hi, i am looking for work exchange . I live in Vancouver but i am able to travel. thanks steph
HI Stephanie – are you talking Vancouver Canada or Vancouver Washington state? I live in the latter and come spring will be tackling a few cob projects. However, as I work, I’ll really only be building during the weekends. Cari
Hello,
My husband and I are really interested in building our own house some day. We are in the market for buying a house but we realized that with the prices here in Los Angeles, it would be easier to buy a lot and make our own creation. We do not have any experience but will be willing to work in exchange for education and we own a truck so we can help hauling any items needed. We are willing to travel within CA. We can do a Friday-Sunday and we love to camp so just tell us where.
If you happen to know of any workshops in the Los Angeles area, the information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marcela
Hello Marcela,
My name is Erin and my family moved to Los Angeles (Altadena) in January. I’m curious… were you able to build a cob house in LA? I’m just curious about cob in LA and would love to find anyone who has done it.
Thanks!
Hello,
My husband and I are really interested in building our own house some day. We are in the market for buying a house but we realized that with the prices here in Los Angeles, it would be easier to buy a lot and make our own creation. We do not have any experience but will be willing to work in exchange for education and we own a truck so we can help hauling any items needed. We are willing to travel within CA. We can do a Friday-Sunday and we love to camp so just tell us where.
If you happen to know of any workshops in the Los Angeles area, the information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Marcela
My husband and I are looking into purchasing a chunk of land in the spring to build a cob house on. Mostly, it would be me and my 2 year old building and I’ve only been in some in England. I don’t know about codes etc (I’ll be calling local building inspectors in the morning) or even much more than it’s a sculpting dream. I would welcome ANY info/help etc. If we can get this started in the spring, anyone who would like to come by and get dirty would be welcome and fed. 🙂
What state/country are you contemplating building in?
Northwestern Connecticut. Sorry, I completely missed that important detail, huh.
Hi Neysa,
I would love to help out and get more hands on experience. I am going to school for it and currently building a cob playhouse for my son who is also two. I am in Southern Connecticut. I am also very interested in what you hear from your county officials or have heard.
Thanks a lot!
John
Hi,
I live in Western MA and am interested in doing grunt work on a cob project in exchange for learning more about how to do it myself. I’m currently (f)unemployed so have the time to put into it!
Please e-mail me at corysbittern “@” gmail “dot” com if you’re somewhat in the area and building a cob house–I’d love to learn!
Hannah
Hi
Also live in MA and would like to get some experience helping someone with any/all natural building projects. Anybody that needs help please email me @ consciousself@yahoo.com
To John williams: I live in western Mass and also am looking to learn cob building – I would be interested in anything you find out / sharing networking info, and possibly helping out on your cob house once it starts. shaunalove111@gmail.com – I’m on fb also.
Thanks,
Shauna
My husband and I are dedicated to ‘growing our own’ home in the mountains of western North Carolina within the next couple of years and I’d like to learn the craft hands-on. I currently live in the suburbs of Atlanta but would be willing to offer my manual labor in any of the bordering states (within 300 miles or so) to assist in workshops, etc. If there is nothing in this area, we would also consider paying for individual hands-on instruction from an experienced cobber on issues like durable cob recipes, sturdy framing, arches, joining new buildings to old, etc.
Many thanks!
Hello all, shortly I will finish a four month natural building apprenticeship with WASI Builders in Flatrock North Carolina! Looking for new projects to be involved with. Any ideas?? Thank you!
I have experience with cob, timber framing, slip straw infill, earthen floor, natural plasters, slate, and more.
Hey Kelley,
i live in Asheville. I just did a cob workshop in Kentucky…how was your apprenticeship with WASI builders? if you choose to contact me privately, my email is badabing1989@gmail.com
I’m out of the loop in natural building in Western north carolina but i’ll be reengaging soon. will let you know if i hear of any projects.
I live in southern New England and am interestedon learning how to build cob houses. If anyone has advice or would be willing to teach (I am happy to assist)… I am looking for information and opportunities. Hopefully I willhear from you soon. 🙂
Hi your project sounds amazing. I’m looking for natural building projects in Mexico and your project sounds amazing. I’ve been doing natural building and permaculture worktrades in Portland and Colorado for the last four months and looking to for more projects. When would you be accepting worktraders? How far along are you with your building plans and ideas??
Hi
Great that you would want to come out and help us and also you have great experience. We are moving to live there at the moment and I think we will be started to build in December. The project is going to last a least 1 year and is going to be a full time project. We will use cob, straw bales and timber. In October and November we will collect materials and gain contacts. We are renting house so there would be either a spare bed, a place to put the tent, or we may have a tipi. We would provide meals and share out the cooking. All the facilities in the house could be used.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
x
Hi there
We are building with earthbags in poor peasants communities in Chiapas, Mexico. We are accepting volunteers. No participation fee. Just three weeks minimum stay commitment. Living conditions are tough. The families offer you very simple meals and a place to put your sleeping bag. We provide the training, transportation expenses from San Cristobal de las Casas. My webpage is not updated with this project, but will give you an idea.
Let me know.
Cato
since there is internet at the community, reply can take a couple of weeks.
I’m looking for natural building projects California, New Mexico, Arizona, or Mexico. I’ve been doing natural building and permaculture worktrades in Portland and Colorado for the last four months and looking for more projects. Peace and Blessings!
we are planning at the moment and starting to get materials so I think it will be from November. It is going to take a while to build so maybe up to June 2013. Would you be interested?
Yes, I am very interested. What area do you live in? What do you have in mind?
Hi
We live in a village called to Tepoztlan and it is 1 hour from Mexico City if you interested joining us building. We would welcome your skills too.
I wish I could help you but I donot have the time or money to travel to Mexico. I amlooking for projects within the New England area of the USA,if anyone has a project please letme know!
Hi Vicky and Cato
I would love to come in Mexico and help with your projects. I have built some experience in Cob and earthbag over the past summer and i am looking forward to improve even more and get some real skills.
I would be coming to that side of the world from Italy in January.
To contact me gloria.bonifazi(at)gmail.com
thank you very much and happy building! 🙂
glo
I live in Mexico with my husband who is Mexican. I am English. We are about to start building our hostel in a town outside Mexico City called Tepoztlan. It is a beautiful area of mystery and magic and is surrounded by mountains.
We are building our hostel out of cob, straw and timber and other natural materials. We attended a 8 day course in the summer on how to build with cob and a timber frame so we are just planning our ideas now.
We are looking for volunteers to help us build- those who want to learn or others with experience. We other either a bed in our spare room or a place in our garden to put your tent. We will provide 2 meals a day- either from the local market or a home cooked meal. Fruit will be available whilst we work. Maybe up to 5 hours or so a day. We want it to be fun and time to share ideas and skills
when are you planning to build?
I am interested in learning to build using these techniques. I would gladly work in exchange and am able to travel to do so. Please email me with more information and contact info. 🙂
oops..here is my email galaxy39.jt@gmail.com thank u
Hola cato!!!
My partner and I would love to help you out. We are currently in Puebla about to start an organic project at an orphanage here.please email me!christina.balint@gmail.com
Hi Vicky Ellaby . When will you begin to take volunteers ? Im looking to volunteer building in Mexico this coming spring , summer and fall . I have a little experience in natural building , grey water sewage systems , organic gardening etc . . . I can speak a conversational level of spanish aswell . Let me know please ! thanks – Brendan . we_will_getby@hotmail.com
If anyone else has volunteer positions open in the western us or mexico please let me know !
I am Intersted in building a Cobb home here in western Massachusetts. I’m about a year out and I would love to gain experience through assisting, networking, and learning from others in the new England area. Any and all pertinant I information about Cobb here in new England would be appreciated
Hi Cindy,
We are beginning to build a cob house very soon. We live in mid Arkansas. Not exactly Missouri but pretty close. Have you started yet? We are looking for a peice of property right now.
No I have not started – am just in planning stages right now. Have an elderly relative in poor health that I will inherit a little from. I want to have everything planned and ready to go so that when the time comes will be ready so I have no idea how long it will be.
Middle – so are you somewhere around Little Rock area? I would love to come down if I can whenever I can and learn by helping.
If you can email me direct we can discuss in more lengthly detail.
cynjeff04@yahoo.com
thanks, Cyndi
No I have not started – am just in planning stages right now. Have an elderly relative in poor health that I will inherit a little from. I want to have everything planned and ready to go so that when the time comes will be ready so I have no idea how long it will be.
Middle – so are you somewhere around Little Rock area? I would love to come down if I can whenever I can and learn by helping.
If you can email me direct we can discuss in more lengthly detail. Am especially interested in learning about doing the foundation. Have read that you dig a trench and fill with rock. These people have obviously never tried to dig in sw missouri. rocks, rocks and more rocks and boulders! !
cynjeff04@yahoo.com
thanks, Cyndi
I am just learning about cob. I live in Arkansas and looking for someone who knows how to build with cob. I live in the river valley not far from the Oklahoma line. I am very interested to find out what you are doing and when you will be building. I would love to come and help to learn. Please let me know.
Thanks
To John williams: I live in western Mass and also am looking to learn cob building – I would be interested in anything you find out / sharing networking info, and possibly helping out on your cob house once it starts. shaunalove111@gmail.com – I’m on fb also.
Thanks,
Shauna
I live in western Mass and also am looking to learn cob building – I would be interested in anything you find out / sharing networking info, and possibly helping out on your cob house once it starts. shaunalove111@gmail.com – I’m on fb also.
Thanks,
Shauna
I live in western Mass and also am looking to learn cob building – I would be interested in anything you find out / sharing networking info, and possibly helping out on your cob house once it starts. shaunalove111@gmail.com – I’m on fb also.
Hi John,
I have some cob experience in NH. I have built a rocket mass heater and it is a great accomplishment. I am hoping to do a small cob/cordwood project this fall before freezing weather, so like in the next couple of weeks. I would welcome any help/visitors to check it out. My email is terry.sackett@yahoo.com
Hi, John-
I plan to build in Vermont, either cob, earthbags, strawbale or some combination thereof. It’ll all depend upon whether cob or earthbags can be insulated well enough for our climate.
What’s your plan to insulate?
I’d be happy to lend a hand from time to time with your project. Please feel free to contact me.
Adam
Is there anyone out there in southwest Missouri that is/has building a house with cob, earthbags or straw. If so I think we should network and learn from each other. I have no money for travel right now for workshops to other areas/states.
I built a cob oven this summer for baking bread and other cooking. I live in Massachusetts and even after the out layer was dried completely and rock hard it gets really soft every time it rains. Do you have any suggestions on preventing this? I really wanted to continue using the oven as far into the fall and winter as possible.
Susan,
Did you *season* your oven with a super-hot fire?
This technique *bakes* the clay so that it vitrifies (at 600 degrees farenheit), much like a potter using a kiln to change the molecular structure of greenware pottery just coming off a wheel, into something that will hold water and you can cook with. Makes sense ja?
You need to build the absolute hottest fire you can manage, some people will use a box fan to get the temp up high, high.
I have a friend in the UK who uses a fan to get his discard waste bonfires hot enough to melt glass! That’s up around 1100 farenheit! (this last comment has nothing to do with cob or ovens, just illustrating how hot you can get a fire using wind)
Good Luck and cheers from the Adirondacks, NY!
-RockDaddy
I am looking for anyone to help us with our cob house just outside of Redding, California. It’s actually in a small town called Palo Cedro. I am willing to offer camping and food in exchange for EXPERIENCED cobbers. We would like to make a workshop out of it if any instructors are willing to travel up here, we can compensate.
Hi Joey, I grew up in Redding, and currently I live outside CHico. My partner and I have been cobing for the last few years. We are visiting her family on the east coast till february but if yall are still building when I get back I’d love to see and help with your project. We’ve built a cob rocket cook stove and a cob floor for our kitchen and we also helped build the cob house in Petrolia, CA, seen at muddyhands@typepad.com. Those folks are awesome and have some very valuble cobbing info on their page. Best of luck on your project… I am so happy to hear that people in the area are finally catching on – we’ve got some great clay here in the north central vally!
Hi Joey, I grew up in Redding, and currently I live outside CHico. My partner and I have been cobing for the last few years. We are visiting her family on the east coast till february but if yall are still building when I get back I’d love to see and help with your project. We’ve built a cob rocket cook stove and a cob floor for our kitchen and we also helped build the cob house in Petrolia, CA, seen at muddyhands@typepad.com. Those folks are awesome and have some very
valuble cobbing info on their page. Best of luck on your project… I am so happy to hear that people in the area are finally catching on – we’ve got some great clay here in the north central vally!
RyRy,
I live in Durham CA just 10 min south of Chico.
I am just finishing the stem wall on a small cob home Iam building on our property. Next is the cob and would you know of a good source for clay besides digging a hole in my yard?
Thanks
Eric
There is a place Kinney Nursery and Top Soil (off the 99e near Vina) that will sell clay but you have to order 30yrds at a time – delivered. You have to hit them up b4 the rains start because their clay pit fills up with water. They gave me a very reasonable price quote $300 delivered (though I live pretty close to them). I’d check the quality of the clay too, some people don’t know the difference between clay and silt! I can’t believe all of the cob projects popping up as soon as I leave. Dang! We should all get together and share our projects and skills! Good luck and happy cobing!
Head down to your local cemetery – they usually have excess clay if you have clayey soil in your area. When I was living in Napa, I found all the soil (and sand) I needed dumped in piles along the roadside as well.
Q:
1) How long to expect this to take? My son is in Oakland. Was suppose to go to school on GI bill but they came back to him this wk & said his school has never been approved for GI bill so they have to approve it first, so there goes school for a while. Would have included $ for housing so now he will still be homeless (so he’s use to camping out – though getting tired of it). I assume the camping will be outdoors or do you have some sort of an out building. If it takes very long winter will be here & it will get cold. I think getting back to nature like this would do him a lot of good, plus encourage him to build his own house some day.
Hi there Cyndi,
I’m a veteran living in Oakland, CA as well. I currently work in the conventional construction trades but am very interested in transitioning to Natural Building.
Where was your son planning on going to school? Anyway- I’m trying to make connections in the world of natural building right now too. If he’s into it it might be good to network.
Earthen Floor Work Party ~ Saturday, August 25, 2012 ~ Rain or Shine.
We will install an earthen floor in three layers from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. (It’s a pretty small section). All materials, tools and supplies provided. Just bring a brown bag lunch and wear your mud clothes!
Diane Jennings
(606) 256-8954
Hey Guys,
We are a young couple from Europe traveling in USA to practice cob building through volunteering. We are now in north California where we were suppose to participate in a project for a couple of months. However this fell through so we are now looking for another opportunity (possibly in the area, but not only)
Can someone help us to find a new project?
Thank you very much and happy cobbing!
Glo&Adam
We are in the middle of building a fairly substantial cob tool shed at an elementary school in Northern California and the person leading it has fallen through. It is only half completed. We would love to have someone come and help us complete it. We have all the materials and just need someone to lead the project. Would love to talk to you! How do I get in touch with you?
Hello! I am interested in the exchange program. Please let me know when/where you are doing homes & I can work on arranging to assist.
Thank-you,
Karen Campbell
Karen,
We’d love to have you at our Earthen Floor Work Party ~ Saturday, August 25, 2012 ~ Rain or Shine. See my post on Aug. 17th for details.
Regards, Diane
My wife and I are planning a road trip around the states either in September of this year or late spring of next with the goal of meeting people and seeing earthen buildings that inspire us as we begin to make plans for a cob house of our own.
If you have a building project going on we would love to stop by and lend a hand for a couple days.
Thanks so much,
Josh
Josh,
We are having an Earthen Floor Work Party ~ Saturday, August 25, 2012 ~ Rain or Shine. See my post on Aug. 17th for details.
Regards, Diane
I am looking for a work-trade scenario involving earthen construction. I live in southern AZ. I have gardening experience/skills and I am open to working in almost any capacity needed to gain knowledge/skill in almost any kind of natural building technique.
On my way to Germany and would love love love to do some building there and meet like minded people. i am going from the 23rd of july to the 1st of sept. i would like to do work trade or just get linked up to a program in the area. thank you.
Hello,
We are building a Hiperadobe (Earthbag) house near Port Angeles. Started it last summer and finishing it up this summer. It’s a great educational opportunity for everyone. We are hosting work traders, and also official workshops at times. Please get in touch and come on out. We have plenty of camping space and farm raised veggies available for hard workers. You would be plastering, laying floors, adding trim, light carpentry, light plumbing, etc.
Plus, we have a masonry heater workshop you could attend at trade if you work here enough. It’s normally 180 per weekend and is on August 18-19 and 25-26. see earthenhand.com for details on that workshop.
Cheers,
Justin
Hey Justin,
i’m very interested in doing a work exchange with you in port angeles. i’m taking a ferry back down from alaska next week, arriving in bellingham on the 27th. I’ve got a tent and all i need to be relatively self sufficient. i have some experience doing cob in Asheville but want to expand my skills in hopes to build my own home some day.
you can email me or call my cell at 651-357-8602.
i hope to hear from you soon! all the best,
Erika
Justin,
Are you still building? I have time and hands to participate if the build is on. Let me know if you would like some more company at the site. Hope to see y’all soon! Cheers, Kim
I was raised on a family farm. After years of contemplation, I want to build my first earthen home on my off-grid desert property. I am offering to work in exchange for experience in any style of earthen construction. I am in northern Nevada but willing to travel. I am a construction foreman for a pole barn company, (when there is work). I have lots of experience in all phases of standard construction. I am very handy. like to get my hands dirty.
Hi Dan – I have a proposition that might interest you. Can you contact me via my contact page at http://www.ditch-diets-live-light.com
Thanks Cari
Hey Dan – in case it’s easier for you please call me on 707 246 0346. If after chatting we mutually decide we have a good fit, I would:
-contribute towards your gas to get to us (we’re in Vancouver WA – about 600 odd miles from Nevada);
-pay you for some of your skills for a month or two (as long as the project takes) AND…
– give you an opportunity to do a work exchange to learn how to build your cob home all at the same time. If you look at previous posts you can find a link to see the one cottage we built.
The project I need help with starts on July 16th and shouldn’t take more than 3 months.
Cari
Sounds good! I will contact you.
Hi Dan maybe you’d like to call me at 707 246 0346 and we can chat. Cari
I was raised on a family farm. After studying alternative construction for years… I want to build my first earthen home on my off-grid desert farmstead. I intend to pursue a permaculture lifestyle there. I am willing to offer work in exchange for experience. I am in northern Nevada but willing to travel. I am a construction foreman for a pole barn company, when there is work. I have lots of experience in all phases of standard construction. I like to get my hands dirty! Contact me.
Hi Cari,
Thanks for the advice, I have done the test as you suggested and it doesn’t seem the the water goes up to the cob. The drainage is pretty good on the site as the soil is very sandy. I was think of doing a drainage ditch around the house to make sure and there will be gutters on the roof to collect the rainwater which will help to some extent in keeping water away. our rainy season isn’t too long here usually from end of November to march or so. the rainy is on and off with sunny days to dry out so I’m hoping that letting the cob breath will mean it dries out ok. It’s quite experimental building like this in this area so I will see! I have seen that a few people have used a lime mortar for cob homes. do you have pictures of your work on the Internet anywhere?
Hi Laurie – sjowee I am glad to hear that.
I do have some pics on facebook – here’s how to find them: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150200861246968.311859.586741967&type=3
This is a little cottage I built with volunteers – the northern wall is strawbale and the rest cob. In this instance we didn’t have to build a foundation because we were replacing an old fallen down hunting cabin that was built on a cement slab.
Wow – great pics, Cari!
Glad you like them – we sure had a LOAD of fun!
Hi, I’m interested in cob/natural building work exchange, labor for education & experience. I’m in the Los Angeles area.
HI Laurie – yes I’ve done quite a bit of cob building – not sure how to send you pics. I have only ever used a rubble trench for foundations in it and then not using a vapor barrier with a stone/urbanite stemwall and in my experience, where I have had the cob (even with lime) in contact with any moisture the cob has wicked it up. The only experience I’ve had with using lime is in plaster and the ratios have 3 soil/clay to 1 lime so maybe that will make a difference, but sadly I have to say that any mixture I’ve used really hasn’t been waterproof from the little experience I’ve had of it. You may want to check with some other cob builders or put a bit of cob on top of the foundations, allow it to dry, pour a considerable amount of water into the trench and see what happens.
Hi cari
Thanks for your message and support! The mortar I have used between the rocks on the foundation is a sand clay and lime mix. There is no straw and the lime has hardened up really nicely. I really didn’t want to use cement and although lime uses alot of energy and co2 when it is made my understanding is that the co2 is taken back out of the atmosphere as it hardens. I used a mix of 1 part lime 1 part clay 1.5 parts river sand and 2.5 parts pit sand, seems to work well. The foundations are a metre below ground level and 50cms above. There is good drainage on the site with sandy soil, i also understand it is better to let cob breath and lime is a better combination than cement, what do you think? Have you built a cob house yourself? if you have and have any images would love to see it. feel free to get in touch and come and see what we are doing here if you ever come to visit zim.
All the best
Laurie
Hi Morgan – if you want to give you your phone number (if you don’t want to give it publicly here – head over to ditch-diets-live-light.com and contact me via the contact form you’ll find there) I’ll plug it into my phone and hollar once I’m ready to start. Just have a few major projects that are probably going to keep me from doing much cob-related for the next 3 months which is a pity because this is good cob building weather 🙂 But it is as it as – as they say in the classics 🙂 Ps…. by the way getting here on public transport would be a breeze as well
Hi Morgan – in the not to near future I’m going to be building a number of cob structures….. a pottery shed, a garden bench and a gazebo with oven are on the agenda. I’m in Vancouver WA though, but very close to public transport and would be happy to have you and anyone else join in the fun – will be mainly over weekends though 🙂
Cari
Sounds great, Cari. Both Vancouver and Weekends work for me – keep me posted – sounds like fun.
Thanks!
Hello. I am in Portland, OR. I have been playing with cob on my own and would like to help out with any projects in my area. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Morgan
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for the message, how strange about the double domain name, I will look into that thanks!
How amazing that mushrooms can help with termites I will definitely look at that.
Thanks again
Laurie
Hi Laurie – I love Hwange (I’m from SA, but I’m married to a Zimbo) and your design looks absolutely AWESOME! Wish I could be there to help you build. I was just a bit concerned though that it looks as if you’ve ‘cemented’ your foundation stones in your trench together with cob. I’d be really concerned that you’d have the cob ‘wicking’ water upwards through your foundations and into your walls if that is what I’m seeing.
Kind regards
Cari
Hi Laurie~
Your work looks fabulous. I couldn’t see your site unless I clicked on your name. When I clicked on the link posted within the context of your message, I was taken to a page that was about the battle of armagedon…under same blogspot….confusing to try to get to your work about your cob work and get detoured. I am not in your part of the world, but the way you have figured your message may need some attention if you wish to get people to your cob work. I wish you the best in your building. Termites are a concern…mushrooms can be of assistance. Paul Stamets has a patent on the use of mushrooms addressing termites. You can google his name on ted.com for more info on that.
Hi I am building a cob home in Zimbabwe next to Hwange National park, the stone foundations are complete and I will be starting on the walls very soon. If anyone is in this area and interested in learning about cob and helping out please get in touch, or if anyone has any experience. Have a look at the progress on http://dancelikeanelephant.blogspot.com
Thanks Laurie
Hi
Does anybody know of and cob building in new england
Thanks
My boyfriend and I are interested in learning natural building skills for our future house. We are currently in Grenoble, France. If anyone is working on building a structure, house, etc and need some volunteers please email us!