we are still intending on the first temp structures to be standard wood frame, just to have something to live in while doing everything else, but they will most likely end up just being sheds. so we will avoid permits for the most part and build with cob, but i am also interested in cordwood, so a light just came on in my head, and i say why not cob-wood? i looked it up and have found that not too many people have done it yet, but the ones that have found no reason so far not to do it. so i have decided that if there is wood on the property that i will use for nothing else, then i will do cob-wood construction and maybe start a trend. there are a whole lot of trees that i have to cut down for the property to be useful anyway, so i will have more wood than i need. i will just do a small structure of cob-wood first to see how it goes, but i will make it so that it can be added on to, what do you all think? let me know. and i can even build this way thru the winter here assuming i can put up a temporary pavillion type roof over where i'll be building. with cob you have to wait while the sections dry, but with cordwood you can build the whole walls all at once and wait for them to dry all together. so any volunteers to come get this thing going. the paperwork should be finanlized very soon and that day is when i start creating. go to our webpage 4 updated info www.co-operativeeffort.com love'n you all, rabbit
heya Rabbit, Building codes are everywhere and youm will run into some challenges if you are the first to use either cob or cordwood or strawbale in your area. Basically you have to present document that other areas have accepted them to be sound and allowed them in similar code restricted areas. - sometimes they will even want aengineered stress load but they are blowing smoke - you just need to provide info where other code areas have allowed and passed code on them. BTW havve built with cordwood and you are pretty well limited to 3> 5 courses high a day - maybe longer depending on temp.and humidity - in betwee or your motar will slump because the weight load gets to be too much. Straw bail - another alternative you might want to look into along with pole barn styles combining timber peg ... basically you put up a timber peg frmework and fill it in with whatever you are planning straw bale cordwood or cob. Nice thing is that it passes zoning everywhere no questions asked. A quick set up is to sink some holes and put up some poles for at least the corners, if small, and take roofing - you're going to need a lot of roofing (talking metal here as it is long lasting and has a variety of uses) - and use it as temporary siding and as it's enclosed and heated, going ahead in a heated area with any style of filling in the space and when done just unscrew the sheet metal you used as sideing to start somewhere else and finally for use as roofing. If you have the ability a truck load of heavy grade metal roofing is an investment which you will appreciate for the duration. Good luck to you ... using polebarn/timber peg, with the sheet metal and filling in the space with the material of choice (straw, cordwood, cob) as time/material permits gets you going fast and keeps the zoning officer off your back - BTW get a copy of the zoning book and study it - as a farmer you've got all sorts of options as long as the building is going to be used for agricultural purposes you can build it any way you want - and later upgrade to a dwelling and get a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). Go for it brother and please give us a blow by blow -.. if nothing else so that we can avoid a pitfall you found LOL and for the hope it gives us all with success stories of dreams coming true Blessing to you on your Way
i do have the codes for my zone and they are pretty lenient. also they did a test run on cob here in 1999 and they decided not to worry about permits(the county). and also a nearby county has adopted some cob permit processes, but very lenient. i am definitely still going to kkep the zoning officer informed as much as need be. i do have a book on straw bale and have considered it, and may do it at some point. from what i have found out so far for my county with cob is that as long as you keep the electric outlets in one main room then they don't care a whole lot. and also the area where we got the land, it doesn't appear that too many codes have been followed based on the other structures and such. but i still will definitely take you advice to heart and will be careful about the codes. but either way, i know that the county is familiar with cob absed on their test run and also that it can be done here. there is a big dome store about 2 miles from the property that is cob, so i will ask them more questions. keep in touch thru my email if you want. rabbitseffort@yahoo.com thanks again rabbit
Out in severa counties in this state they kinda live by the standard of "you gonna live in it, you better be happy how you put it together". Only in the cities do the require permits and sadly most of them just ask for a fee nothing more, no inspection no nothing just cash. We built a little storage shed one time out of 1x6x8 boards. Just laid em out and put another set of boards top and bottom to hold em together. That made the walls, stood them up and srewed the corners together, put a few 2x4's for roof supports and then tin. Took a day to wip out a 8x16 little shed divided in half and 2 doors with 2 people. Anyway congrats on the project and all the best wishes and thoughts...
I have a great little book on building with cobwood.. You can throw almost anything in with the cob, really. I have heard of people using used computers and television sets, LOL! A common tactic in working around codes is to buy a mobile and license it as your "residence" then build "outbuildings" of your alternative materiels. (or that is what you can tell the officials)
true, true, true please email via our site and tell me about your book and any other info you care to share rabbit www.co-operativeeffort.com
thank you very much,CC. i thought it was lacking some, well something. so thank you again for your kind words. all our respect, rabbit
You would have to be careful about dodging building codes ..... that might be fine and tolerated by single families but could be a possible problem down the road for a community. A specialy one that is in the public eye....If the neighbors were to object to your community and it was found that building codes were not followed then that could cost alot of money to come up to code or even fight it. Could even mean the end of alot of hard work.
i agree, look at the thread i just started. but there aren't any neighbors, there are just a few hunting camps in the area. so neighbors wouldn't be an issue, it is very, very secluded. we are going to be 100% legal, that is the only way i will allow it, it would make no sense to do it any other way. we are in touch with the local planning board and they are o.k. with what we want to do. we just have to follow the rules. thanks for all your advice----rabbit www.co-operativeeffort.com
Here is where I took a workshop this summer in southern Oregon, they have many more workshops happening this spring and summer if you want to learn more about cobbing- http://www.housealive.org/ And in the "pictures" sections, the second house down are some more pictures of the cob house we build in ten days this summer. There are a couple of pictures of me there. Cob Cottage Co and Becky Bee also have workshops. I already sent this to Rabbit, but this site on Tony Wrenches Roundhouse is facinating- http://www.thatroundhouse.info/ If you click on 2004-the saga continues and read backwards. There is an inspirational story with some really great pictures. I really wish these lovely people all the best. Their book is available here- http://www.permaculture.co.uk/ (Isn't that child adorable?)
