Sustainability Language

Circular Economy & Materials

Cob

A natural building material made from subsoil, water and fibrous organic material such as straw, formed by hand into monolithic walls.

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Definition

Cob is a building material of subsoil (clay and sand), water and straw, sometimes with lime, mixed and laid by hand in courses without formwork or firing. It is fireproof, has high thermal mass, and is associated with the natural-building revival and historic vernacular construction in regions such as southwest England.

References

Wikipedia

composition, properties, natural-building revival

Overview

What it means

It is one of the lowest-embodied-energy wall systems available, using site-won or local soil instead of manufactured masonry.

How it is used

Built in layers and sculpted while wet; requires protective detailing — a good 'hat and boots' (roof overhang and raised plinth) — to manage moisture.

Why it matters

It offers a low-carbon, non-toxic construction option relevant to sustainable and self-build housing.

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