With the
advent of reaching critical mass, or a higher vibrational level for
planet Earth, New ways of being and living were now ready to be
implemented (as of July 2006). This meant that the lightworkers, or
way-showers for these New ways, were now being put into position to
bring their creations into form. These New creations involve a wide
range of New roles, from the arts and entertainment, to New and higher
ways of living in harmony with all of creation itself. Cob building is
one of these New ways of living and being.
enlarge photo by clicking on it
Why Cob Building?
Building with the elements of the earth (cob: earth, clay, sand,
straw, and water) places us in direct alignment with the higher realms.
Because we reach the higher realms through the earth, harmonizing with
her and living in structures made from her, allows us to fully embody
the higher realms in an easy, fulfilling, and peaceful way.
Cob building enables one to create a living environment that
perfectly suits one’s needs and desires in every way. Cob structures
can be built to suit us, as we are the creators, instead of trying to
fit into an already built structure of someone else’s ideas, notions or
needs.
A cob home can be built in alignment with the sun, moon, and the
planets. This is vitally important, as aligning is what it is all about
in the higher realms. The ancients knew this, and consequently built in
this way, with openings for sun daggers, for viewing and aligning with
certain planets and their cycles, and for the movements of the moon.
Alignments bring in portal openings for higher energies, and allow us
to be in continuous spaces of harmony.
enlarge photo by clicking on it
Cob homes are perfect for a sustainable lifestyle. They provide
immense thermal mass with good insulation, and are ideal for passive
solar construction. They remain cool in the summer and require little
additional heating in the winter. As all our needs are met from the
earth herself, a cob house can be built to totally sustain itself while
it disconnects from the "Old World." Totally fireproof, wind resistant,
and fairly earthquake resistant, a cob house will last for hundreds of
years.
Extremely economical, a cob home can be built for as little as $500,
for a modest cob cottage. Many homes are built for under $5,000. With
the help of a team, cob building is ideal for a "barn raising"
experience. One person can build a two-story wall in about a month.
Aesthetically pleasing, cob structures blend in beautifully with the
environment. Many that live in cob homes have said that they feel they
live in the earth and that their homes are growing out of the earth.
Harmony!
Building a cob structure is a spiritual experience. The process
itself is a sacred one. Ideally suited for children and the elderly, as
well as adults, submerging oneself in creativity with elements of the
earth can really bring one to center with Source. And building with cob
can be an on-going creative experience as long as it needs to be.
Starting small and adding on as one’s resources become available, is a
reality of cob as well.
There are many other forms of natural building besides cob. Adobe,
rammed earth, wattle and daub, poured earth, earth bag, straw bale, and
bamboo, to name a few. And then there are hybrids, which are a
combination of more than one, ideal for suiting one’s specific needs. I
chose cob because of its naturally flowing forms that greatly resemble
the natural forms of nature. With no square shapes or perfect 90 degree
angles, cob interiors are more temperature efficient, and the curving,
flowing walls and interior designs brought me great peace and
tranquility. In addition, cob lends itself to a great amount of
creativity in regard to clay sculpting unique interior and exterior
forms that become a part of the structure itself. (And then there’s
mosaic and stained glass!)
Helpful Links
Below are various links that may be of assistance to you regarding
cob building. Although I have not been personally involved with most of
these organizations or resources, you can at least get a better idea
about cob and save yourself some Google time on the internet. Most of
these links contain many more links within them:
House Alive
Lists several wonderful links to organizations that teach natural building. House Alive teaches their own workshops as well.
Cob Workshops
Lists cob workshops in North America.
Green Home Building
A comprehensive site containing a wealth of information about natural
building. Has a wonderful Q&A section about cob with Michael G.
Smith. Very informative. Also lists several books about cob building
and has a list of links to many cob resources.
The Last Straw
Calendar of events for natural building with many great links and resources.
Earthed World
Cob building in the UK.
Cob Projects
Cob information and resources.
Natural Building Network
The Natural Building Network serves to connect natural builders and information.
Builders Without Borders
A worldwide network of natural builders
This article has been brought to you courtesy of Karen Bishop see www.whatsuponplanetearth.com
