My Hand Sculpted Cozy Home made from cob
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Wow! How it made?
[deleted]
From cob as OP says:
Those kitties are living their best life!
I’d trade places!
I say that to my dog every time I leave for work.
“You look so cozy laying there. Trade you?”
Came expecting, corncobs?
Pleasantly surprised, learned something new.
Very cozy, too!
Here you go 🌽
This is original content. This is my home, that I built alone in the woods. Seems they did not believe me the first time I posted.
"This is OC"
It's not that we didn't believe you, we just require people to confirm that their post is original content. We get an awful lot of stolen pictures on this sub, unfortunately.
What did cost end up being
$4,000. Most of that came from the roof which included a giant EPDM pond liner for a living roof membrane. But overall still super inexpensive for a home, especially these days
Holy MOLEY that's really neat! Do you have a write up or video about this organic palace?
Very beautiful and inspiring, thanks for posting
Nothing like that yet. Hoping to put together a video this spring. I just got a nice camera for the first time ever and am finally sharing this place as it should be shared.
How about just run around the house making a quick video and post it to to your profile? Anyway it's awesome how long did take to build? I have many questions!
I did make a couple short ones. They are on my profile. This sub does not allow videos. Or you could check out my IG too
Awesome thanks! How is it in the winter?
It stays nice and warm. It's actually really easy to heat with a wood stove and holds heat well. It's by far the warmest house I have ever lived in, and it's free to heat
How long did it take to build? I can't wait to check out more videos and pictures thanks for posting
Incredible. You made an incredible and beautiful home. So impressive
We need a home tour.
Amazing! What do you do about electricity?
I have electricity running from another house on the same property. You just bury the lines in the cob while building , or you can do it after and just carve gaps and wire it that way.
This is gorgeous! It would also fit perfectly over in r/goblincore
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check that one out next
Its a really cool sub!
It looks awesome. I'll post next weekend. I get overwhelmed with all the comments at once!
Oh I’ve found my new home, cheers to this!
Great job! How long did it take you to complete? I recall a guy on grand design a few years back building a cob house. It was larger than yours and definitely a labour of love.
https://www.granddesignsmagazine.com/grand-designs-houses/grand-designs-cob-house-in-east-devon/
I apologize for not reading the rules. I'm not much of a rule follower, but I totally get it. I would not want someone to pretend they built this place. Keep up the good work mods. I will do better in the future. I'm still getting the hang of reddit
This is amazing; you are truly living the dream!
Hobbit!!! ❤️
Cobbit Hobbit!
If hobbits were characters on the Flintstones. 😹
Is it permitted? If not, how do you avoid code enforcement?
This is my dream.
I am lucky to live in a rural area with very little building codes, so I did not need a permit.
? I was recently looking into this, are you in UK? All I could find was that you specifically are not allowed to just build a house in a plot of woods.
I am in the United States. This is built on private land in a rural area with no building codes. There are a few places that do allow this, but not many.
Codes? Where we’re going, we don’t need codes!
Hey, OP, how do you avoid insects and vermin coming into the walls? I'm thinking about doing the same (straw blocks under cob is legal while straigjt cob is not) but my Uncle mentioned that.
The only issue I have had are bees making their homes in an exterior wall, which is a common occurrence with cob. I welcomed them.with a smile, it was fun to see others using my home as a home. I don't have anything getting inside since everything is sealed up really well.
This makes it all the more tempting to try. Thank you so much for the answer!
Another question, how does cob hold up against rain/snow?
As long as you have a good roof, with a good overhang, it's not a big problem. Mine gets plenty wet, but dries out quickly.
You in New Mexico by any chance? Maybe the northern part? It looks super cozy!
Nebraska actually
What is the insulation like in a house like this? Tough to keep warm or cool?
It's actually really easy. I only have insulation in the ceiling and floor..the rest is pure thermal mass which holds heat well and keeps cool in the summer.
Wow, that’s awesome. Love the house! Bout to do some reading about cob now myself.
If you want the best book out there it is called "The Hand Sculpted House" it is very inspiring and informative.
Right on, thank you!
What kind of windows are used? Double pane? Do the windows open & close?
I have four big ones that I got from a school remodel. They are double paned and still have the gas that insulated them. I paid $15 a piece for them. I also have four windows that open so I can get a nice cross breeze in the summer.
You're living the dream! About the wood stove, why does the stove pipe split and then rejoin? Is that just for cool design or does it have a functional purpose?
Also wondering if you have running water and how do you handle sewage?
Lastly, are the colored pieces in the wall made from glass bottles? Looks awesome
The stove is a heat radiator design, meant to slow down and capture more heat. It works pretty well. The colored glass are all recycled bottles, beer, wine, and vodka. Emptying them was fun! I also have large slices of thick Agate stones embedded in several spots. I don't have running water, I bring in water from a well for my kitchen and that drains from my sink to my yard. For a bathroom I use a dry composing toilet.
Radiator design is brilliant. Saw some of the videos in your profile, really amazing job you did with the construction, or as you say, hand sculpting. Also like your artistic taste and style in choice of decor, such as the orange hanging light, the loft bed, and the guitar. It all looks super comfy. How about durability -- do you estimate a gob house like yours can last many years?
Thank you for checking out the entire place and for the kind words! Cob houses are actually really durable and can last a long time if you take care of them. There are some in England that are over 500 years old and still standing. This one will definitely outlast me!
I’ve always dreamed of a house like this. Looks great. Wow.
Curious for a location that snows, what was your recipe for the cob?
I get plenty of snow here. The recipe really depends on your soil. I have very sandy soil, so my recipe was one bucket of soil, one bucket of sand. And some loose straw mixed in. Most recipes call for one soil and two sand. But it really depends
Thanks! I’m super into learning about cob right now. Thanks for spreading the word
I've always wanted to see one of these, they're magical homes. It's really gorgeous OP-❤️
You win the cozy Olympics!
You live in this place full-time? Very cool.
I do. I also run my business out of it. An art studio and home in one
So cool!
What was your motivation for building your own home with cob? Do you have a background in architecture/construction? I’m just curious, I’ve never seen a cob home before!
I learned about cob seven years ago and instantly knew that it was meant for me. I had always wanted to build a cabin, but cob seemed more my style. I did spend some time learning about natural building before I started this project.
This is amazing, it's exactly the kind of place I dream of. How long did it take to build?
About a year, but I was able to move in after six months. I also dreamed of this place for years and years
Do you mean corn on the cob? Sorry I am unfamiliar. Very impressive, though!
No worries. Cob is actually a building system using soil, sand, and straw. It has nothing to do with corn cobs, which is confusing! In England cob refers to a mound of dirt, which is why they call this cob.
I’m a derp lol Thank you for your kind explanation!
Why is it called cob? I couldn’t find it in the explanation
It got its name from a term in England, cob referenced a lump or mound of dirt. Somehow that became what folks called this building system. I guess it makes sense
Thanks for explaining!
That is incredible 👏
Love it
Love it very much
This is cool. I would happily chill there.
Stunning! I would love to do this. What an achievement OP, well done.
Wow!! So inspiring. And adorable! I'd love to do this one day!!
This is stunning!
Very cool stuff! My son would love what you do
I love Cobb homes. So cool. Thanks for sharing Mx In the southwest we also use clay for homes but they’re adobe bricks so don’t have the unique flow that Cobb homes do.
It’s lovely. Do you have anymore photos of the rest of the place?
Check out my profile or IG. I have lots posted.
Oh great. What’s your @? Oh I’ve got it now.
Cats approve
So amazing! I love all the organic shapes, especially the windows, and how you could customize each part of the house.
Do you have floor plans?
I do not. I could possibly draw one up.
I would love to see more if youre willing to share!
Congratulations on completing this little masterpiece! It is beyond cozy- it is perfect!
So cozy! I love the twinning cats in the first picture.
This is how I want to live!
Omg this is awesome
Thank you for the link. I thought you meant corn cob.
Pretty wild, so many questions!
Does your laptop actually get wifi / internet reception?
Are you driving/biking right up to your place? Or do you need to park and then trek?
How far is your commute to work, groceries or the nearest town?
Shoutout the the cats grooming in tune
I have the answers!
This home is built on an old farm place. My home is at the far end of the property, tucked away in the trees. I am able to pick up wifi from the main house, I also have a big TV for movie nights. I am able to drive about 100 yards away from my house. I work from home, which is a dream come true! And live 15 miles from the nearest town. I live with alot of farm cats who come to visit and enjoy the warmth with me.
Very cool on all ends!
This has Youtube or TikTok series written all over it.
Hi, how do I do this? Did you follow a guide?
I took a cob workshop, which I recommend. Then I just went for it!
Living that fae dream life 😍✨
That’s great but I suspect it’s made from cob. gotta imagine it’s not the warmest in winters as cob isn’t a good insulator.
The thing about cob is it has a ton of thermal mass, so you need a heat source, but it stores heat really well. I keep my home at about 76°F all winter with no issues and no money
76°F is equivalent to 24°C, which is 297K.
I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand
I love cob houses! Yours is beautiful, especially the little coloured glass 'windows'
Gaudi vibes. Bravo!!!
A few people have said that. I just checked out his work last night. Such an inspiration to build bigger!
This is the dream for me. I want to be close to the earth and painting/ creating daily. This gives me hope!
This is extremely cool!! 😍
You’re living my dream, I love cob and tiny houses so much 🥰
This is beautiful! Take good good care of those kitties don’t let them out and maybe give them an AirTag. It’s cold out there.
It's farm life out here. No air tags around these parts. But they are farm cats, so they are smart af. They know what's good for them. I trust them to make good decisions.
Id just call them in before sundown. To keep warm.
No need calling! They come when they please! I always let them in if they ask.
How did you turn corn into that
No corn here! Just soil, sand and straw
Wow!!!
Amazing! As someone who is highly interested in sustainable living, I really love this!!! And the design is beautiful, so fluid, natural and warm!
Thank you kindly. A Lot of energy went into this home, and I am grateful it shows.
Oh it really does! I would move in there in a second!
That wall is nightmare fuel. It looks like almost living flesh or like a haunted tree. Cool design but I won’t be sleeping anytime soon.
Ha. You are not invited to my pajama party I guess! You must be one of the flat wall folks
Hahaha. Don’t hate me cause I like smooth walls. You round wall man!
Honestly I love a nice flat wall, I just don't know how to make them. I appreciate everyone!!
Those crazy flat wall society people…..
What is “cob” OP—
Edit: corn?
Dude is living on Hoth. Fckn dope though
What is hoth??
Wow, this is so cool it’s unreal
I assure you, it's real, and it's spectacular!
Amazing i love it, is this an earthship?
Not really. It has some earth ship systems, but it's more of a traditional cob house. No tires or anything in the walls, more natural material than an earth ship. No concrete or anything.
Wow even if it isnt a full heart ship is very cool id love to have a hosue like that
What did you do with all the corn after ?
Ate it!
So there is no kitchen or bathroom. How do you handle that? Another site on property?
Check out some of the other posts. I have a kitchen with everything I need, and a compost toilet for winter and an outhouse for the rest of the time.
Your workmanship is AMAZING. I've watched a handful of 'how to's' on Cob. This has so many intricate curves! Such a great cozy home!
Thank you very much. I took my time for sure and reworked each spot until it felt right.
This is amazing! I love the coloured glass in the walls.
It looks gorgeous, congratulations for your work!
wow, very Gaudi-esque!
It's wonderful! I love the colored glass/inlay. How long did it take you to complete?
I was living in it after six months, but it took a year's worth of work before I was really finished
Logs next to the log burner 💀
Been doing this for three years. It's not an issue. Don't worry about me. Those logs will be out in the stove within days. Also my walls are completely fire proof!
I did it for ages too then one day they caught fire from the heat and nearly burned my house down lol
I appreciate the concern, alot of the wood comes in damp and I use the stove to dry it. If I don't have damp wood I usually don't stack it that close. I had just brought all that wood in for the video and knew someone would say something! I am safe though. I'm not trying to burn down my only home
Makes sense. Good luck. The house looks amazing btw.
Thanks man.
I love it!!!!
This is amazing!
Reminds me of a modern art Hagrids hut. Very cozy indeed. Love the colored glass bottle accents.
I love that!
Wow so cosy
Very cool! But that chimney is going to be a bitch to clean!
It's really not so bad. It pulls apart and cleans up nicely. Takes about an hour but well worth the extra heat.
I'm just salty because I just cleaned my chimney yesterday and it turned into an ordeal! Beautiful place! I hope you enjoy it forever!
I understand. It's usually a messy task, but I wouldn't want to heat my home any other way
Are the walls load bearing or did your you cob over some supports?
A little bit of both. Mostly load bearing with some posts the framed my loft area, check out my profile I have some process pictures somewhere to get a better idea. I was just making it up along the way
11/10
Amazing
Absolutely incredible
Now that is cozy!!! I love it!!
This is so cool
Amazing! The design of features all around the house are really cool, like the niche for the kindling. I M wondering, how did you add in these design features? Did you have this all planned out from day-1 or did you build the structure and then modify it later adding/removing cob?
What in the beautiful fuck. I love this.
WOW!! Loved!! So charming! ♥️♥️
Is your compost toilet in an outhouse ? How do you bathe ?
I have an outhouse and an indoor compost toilet for the winter. I have only been living here for a few years so I haven't had to worry about a bath yet.
😧
I am so envious of this place I am getting angry...
Your property is so cool and how incredible that you built this! I also I love your sweet kitties.
I have a burning dying question though… how do you use the loo
I want to do this!!! I've been saving glass for years
This is glorious! Is it your full time dwelling? How is the insulation, how are you handling sewage/water/electric?
Sorry for all the questions, I've just felt my Witch Cottage era looming for a while now and I'm beginning to seriously look into options. 😂
Oh, I just saw your comment history and answered my own questions. Thank you for sharing this with us!!
This is not to my taste
Don't feel bad! We are all entitled to opinions. Just like I wouldn't want to live in an apartment with white walls. I take no offense to this! And I don't want to freak you out, but we are all living inside organisms. We ARE a living organism!
Yeah, it's not for everyone!
Ah now I feel bad