Those of you who have an interest in building with cob as in the Little Cob Cabin posted recently, will enjoy this site by Brian Liloia one of our readers.

Brian is a 23 year old currently living at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, learning to fulfill his desires to live more sustainably and self-sufficiently.

There’s a growing need to help shape a more eco-conscious, less destructive, and healthy culture, and he hopes to share some of his experiences living in a community that values these qualities.

Building With Cob

Brian explains his cob building process that they have developed over the past few weeks.

• Mixing Cob: The first step is the “burrito”, which consists of the final cob mix of sand, clay, and straw. When the consistency is right the mixture will roll and shape into a burrito.

• Making Cobs: The second step is to make “cobs”, or little loafs of the material. Kind of like kneading dough. Each loaf should only take a few seconds to make.

• Cob Wall: The third step is moving the loaves to the wall and lining them up. The wall is soaked with water before applying the new loaves.

• Cobbler Thumbs: The fourth step is taking cobbler thumbs ( a wooden tool) and “stitching” the cobs together, by working the straw into the layer below the new cobs and blending them together.

• Cob Finishing: In the fifth step you use your hands to create a clean, plumb edge.

Brian’s cob cottage footprint is 20×16, and the structure is spiral-shaped, with an urbanite foundation and all cob walls. The house will feature a reciprocal living roof, and it will make maximum usage of passive solar and feature a rocket stove connected to a mass cob bed.

• View pictures of the cob building under construction.
• Building with Cob Work Exchange.

Cob Building Photographs

Urbanite Foundation

Making “Cobs”

Three Foot Cob Walls

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A great article from the Canadian National Post called The Small Life features Jay Shafer and the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

Jay Shafer knows all about living small. The 42-year-old art teacher and now house designer has been living in less than 100 square feet since 1997. The experience prompted him to write The Small House Book and start his own company, Tumbleweed Tiny Houses, to provide plans and build small houses for others. Daring to think small in a country obsessed with everything big, he has become something of a guru to those who believe we won’t be able to afford energy-guzzling monster homes for much longer. Shafer will be a guest speaker at Toronto’s IdeaCity next week.

Click on the title to read the rest of the article The Small Life.

Model 2 Under Construction

Tortoise Shell Homes Visit

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Bill Kastrinos at the Tortoise Shell Nursery in Rohnert Park, CA. In an earlier post we looked at Model 1 from Tortoise Shell Homes. On my visit, Bill showed me three of six, Model 2 homes under construction.

Simple and Affordable

Bills goal is to keep these homes simple and affordable. He has three models, ranging from a very basic unit to a loaded off the grid ready version. Tortoise Shell Homes has only been in business six months but word is getting out and he is looking to be very busy in the near future.

These tiny houses are built just like a standard home with all the electrical, insulation, etc. This model includes a full size shower, toilet and sink and comes with an instant hot water heater. There is room for a small washer/dryer unit as well. (see floor plan below) These six custom order homes come with oak floors, sky lights and pine walls.

A Company to Watch

I think that this will be a company to watch in the tiny house market. For more information visit the Tortoise Shell Home site or send an email to info@tortoiseshellhome.com or call 707-206-7581.

Model 2 Floor Plan

Interior Under Construction

Interior near completion