On Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:18:05 -0700 (PDT), "DOWN to EARTH Natural Building
Listserv " <sigikoko@...> said:

Cob Oven Workshop Announcement in Bethlehem PA

Sigi Koko will lead a workshop to construct a small cob oven
this coming weekend. Short notice, I know, but we will not be
charging a fee for this 1-1/2 day workshop. You will learn
how to build and sculpt a cob oven for exterior use. Anyone
who would like to try clay plastering will also be welcome to
continue with the final coat of interior plaster in a small
studio/shed nestled in an exquisite all-native garden. The
building is built on a rubble trench foundation, with
strawbale walls, reused windows and doors, and living roof.
The cob oven will be built adjacent to the building.


When: August 23 8:30 AM to 5:40 PM & August 24 8:30 to 12:30

Where: Bethlehem, PA

Cost: FREE!

TO REGISTER:
Please contact SIGI KOKO by email at
[1]sigikoko@... to register or with any
questions. YOU MUST RSVP TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP. Directions
and details on what to bring will be emailed to those who
register. Additional details about the workshop are below.


HISTORY of COB: clay has been used as a building material for
thousands of years, and continues to be used by 75% of the
world's population. Clay can be used to make blocks (such as
adobe) or can be used to create monolithic walls (such as
rammed earth or cob). Earthen walls are a combination of clay
and sand, and often also contains some fiber, such as chopped
straw, or a stabilizer, such as cement. Cob specifically
refers to structural sculpted earthen walls that are beautiful
and durable and well-suited for where high thermal mass is
desired.


DESCRIPTION of MATERIALS:
Cob is a mixture of clay, sand, and straw, and is used to
build in applications where high thermal mass is appropriate.
Cob has the same ingredients as adobe, and is often referred
to as "sculptural adobe" since it is hand-formed in place. In
this application we are applying cob to cover a masonry stove
heater, plus building a bench and several exterior landscaping
walls. We have selected cob for it's ability to collect and
store heat energy (thermal mass), so it becomes an integral
ingredient in the house's heating system.


WORKSHOP FORMAT:
Saturday we will build the firebox for the cob oven using
site-harvested materials. Sunday we will cut the door opening
and sculpt the exterior finish. Everyone is invited to
participate in hands-on mixing and building. A hot vegetarian
lunch will be provided.


WORKSHOP COVERS:
* description of ingredients and the function that each one
serves
* establishing a basic recipe
* how to test site soil for clay content
* mixing techniques
* hands-on experience building a cob oven

[2]Unsubscribe from this newsletter

[tracking.php?event=read&listId=772904702&messageId=23242]

References

1. mailto:sigikoko@...
2.
http://pub9.bravenet.com/elist/add.php?action=leave&usernum=772904702&emailaddre\
ss=boyfromthefuture@fastmail.fm
-------------------------------------------------------
Abe Karl-Gruswitz
973-786-5396
abe@...
The Emerson Lily Free School
www.emersonlilyfreeschool.org
The Ecovillage New Jersey project
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EcovillageNWNJ

"...if you hyperexploit your surroundings you will deplete them and die;
the only way to survive in the long run is to give back more than you take." 
Derrick Jensen



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]