Resources for Natural Building

These are the publications that are used by cob and natural builders, students, apprentices and dreamers that give them the most elementary resources for building with sand straw and clay. Although there are many more on the market, I have found these the most useful. You really can't go wrong with getting any of these as a way to inspire you, or to start planning a natural building project.

The Hand Sculpted House, by Ianto Evans, Michael Smith and Linda Smiley. 346 pages.

Although only a workshop or work experience can truly give you the feel for cob building, this book will give all the knowledge and inspiration you need to build your own cob cottage. Although the book was written for building with cob, almost all the information would be very useful for any other building, be it straw bale, adobe, rammed earth or conventional construction. This is because the book is not just a cob building book, it also focuses on general philosophy, the economics of building, design and passive solar, site preparation, foundations and drainage, natural finishes and the spiritual aspect of building. It's orientation is towards small cottages and a radical approach towards the culture of house and living. It is well written and illustrated.

The Art of Natural Building. Joseph F Kennedy, Michael G. Smith, Catherine Wanek editors.

This book consists of a great number of articles written by experts in "the field". Each article gives you a certain philosophy, theory or technique related to natural building. Most of the current popular techniques are covered such as cob, straw bale, rammed earth, adobe, earthen floors, plasters, building with tires, rubble trench foundations, insulation, cordwood masonry, and many more. In addition to that, you will find articles on building codes, permaculture, communities, healthy homes, building and social justice, design, etc. This is certainly not a "how to book". However, it will give you a great overview of all the different techniques and philosophies that will help you plan your next project. The book is illustrated with many black and white pictures and will help you take the next step with a resources listed at the end of most articles. 291 pages.

The Cob Builders Hand Book. Becky Bee. 173 pages.

This is a simple, no nonsense and fun written book on the basics of cob construction. It gives you all the information you need to build your own cob cottage. It covers design, site preparation, foundations, floors, windows and doors, roofs and finishes. The book has a pleasant lay-out and is illustrated with clear, simple drawings.

Building with Cob, a step-by-step guide. Adam Weisman, Katy Bryce. 252 pages.

This brand new book on cob construction is a joy for the eye. It is well laid out with many beautiful color photographs throughout the book. It covers all the aspects of cob construction, from design and site preparation to earthen floors and finishes. It also includes chapters on earthen ovens and fire places. The book is well written and is somewhat less "radical" then "The Hand Sculpted House": It covers different ways on how to build with cob, including using big machinery (Yes!).

The Natural Plaster Book. Cedar Rose Guelberth and Dan Chiras. 251 pages.

For any natural building technique, this is a good resource for plastering with natural materials. The book covers earthen (clay based) plasters as well as lime and gypsum plasters and natural paints. All the recipes and explanations of applying the plasters are very clearly written, without any loose ends. It also covers, in depth, the way to build and prepare for natural plasters. If you are considering natural plasters, this would be the book to get! The book is illustrated with many drawings and photographs.

Build your own Earth Oven. Kiko Denzer. 126 pages.

This book describes from start to finish how to build a simple, mud (cob) bread and pizza oven. The whole process is clearly explained with much interesting background information. It also includes a chapter on how to make sourdough bread. An earthen oven is a great way to get your feet wet in earthen construction. It will teach you how to mix cob, build a little, and enjoy the process. A simple oven can be built over a weekend with a couple of friends, can last for many years, and would cost next to nothing!

The Pattern Language. Chistopher Alexander. 1171 pages.

Just like everyone who travels should have an atlas, so should all who live in a house have a copy of "The Pattern Language". Alexander describes what it takes to make your house and the surrounding areas truly feel alive, and gives an outlook on designing, building and living that makes so much more sense then the conventional way of thinking. The book is very useful for people who are planning to build a new house as well as for people who want to improve their current living situation. By discussing patterns, rather then rooms and square footage, it gives us a new language to improve our living environment. Over 500 patterns are discussed, anywhere from the placement of the front door, to the organization of sleeping places. These life giving patterns are designed to serve us as humans, with bodies and souls, as opposed to design ideas that come about through the building industry (mainly architects and contractors). Many of the ideas (and research) came from design patterns that have existed throughout time and all over the world. The theoretical context for the "Pattern Language" is described in the book "the Timeless Way of Building", also by Alexander.

Homework, Handbuilt shelters. Lloyd Kahn. 245 pages.

By the author of the famous book "Shelter", this book is a very rich collection of stories and photographs of owner-builders, who used unique ideas and techniques, all very different from the main stream. Cob and natural building are represented, but so are "tiny houses", houses on wheels, canvas houses, barns, and many other creative designs and methods. Each description of a house represents a "one of a kind", and together, the book represents the greatest expression of freedom in the creation of "house". Many of the houses were built by people with no previous building experience. This book inspires people to trust their instincts and get the confidence to start on a project.

Cob, the DVD. House Alive.

This dvd shows the essence of building a cob cottage through a collage of more than 200 photographs, spread out over 5 chapters: Overture, the mix, the wall, roofs/floors/finishes, time to move in. The pictures are accompanied by beautiful classical and folk music. Although reading a book can help you understand things pretty well, these pictures will make you understand the whole building process from start to finish. It also will give you a good feel for what goes on in a typical cob workshop. Not a "how-to" dvd. Only for sale through www.housealive.org.