COBIN OBSERVATIONS

I observe the need for affordable housing in California. I observe the price of “conventional” building materials increase. I observe many living in toxic environments ( black mold, harmful cleaning chemicals, synthetic carpeting, toxic furniture materials, high exposure to electromagnetic magnetic frequencies). I observed  many renters looking for simplicity, safety, and affordability in their housing decisions.

I observe the nature of Earth as abundant and eager to be recognized as precious and valuable. I see many pallets stacked next to dumpsters without use. I see most California soil as 40-60% clay. I see the abundant availability of locally mined sand and gravel. I witness local mills who use resposbibilly harvested trees from private land, PG&E logs from mitigation clearings.

These observations led to a complete “yes” in my body in building a small home for myself.  I built an affordable, appropriate technological, passive solar, cob and ricecrete tiny home- called the Cobin.

Big shout out to Living Earth Structures for simple and elegant design and information rich tutorial videos. Most of the design was directly modeled from the structures found Living Earth Structures website and Youtube Channel.  Big gratitude for my time living and working at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center for introducing me to the world of permaculture. Much thanks for my time living and working at Rainbows End Farm studying the detail and specificity of proper management of resources on land and home. Thanks for my time living and working as a builder at the Ojai Foundation learning the building with earth and sitting in council.  Big thanks to the inspiration from my time living and working with traditional doctors of Nepal who treat patients in naturally built cob and timber structures over 800 years old. Shout out to the Vastu Principles and Robert Svoboda for the guidance within the book Vastu: Breathing Life into Space ritual and ceremonial education in his book that lead to be a co-creative relationship with the elements and  directions.

The sacred Earth Provides what we need. This land is holy! The land is humbling and empowering to work with. I find the power comes from the humility….

One part earth, 55% clay, one part sharp or course ( PG&E)  and a dash of sharp chopped straw creates the amazing substance known as Cob, or Earthen Plaster, one of  the original building material.

Join me on following posts where I detail some of the my learning moments on this journey.

Prometheus unbound.