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The cob revival encourages small personal shelters characterized by beautiful organic lines, recycled glass set directly into the cob, sometimes with the bathroom (and kitchen) functions outside the house to reduce the house size and for esoteric, ecological considerations. The goal is a beautiful hand built "natural" house using a higher percentage of local/natural materials (earth, stone and straw), and a lower percentage of energy intensive manufactured materials such as concrete and dimensional lumber. Often, the cob is combined with stone foundations and straw bales walls. 2. This design uses straw bales (two string) in the walls, curved, loosely placed, surrounded, contained and sculpted in Cob. Although cob can be used to set the glass without a framework, in this design conventional windows are suggested to assure good cross ventilation. Cob, adobe, rock, or frame can be used to form the low, curved, partition walls which create the closets/storage. The design is very small (320-350 sq. ft. inside) to keep construction costs down and reduce the conditioned area. The walls are radically curved (because they can be) with a long south face for passive solar gain, angled back to the north to reduce winter snow build up. 3. The roof is supported on a cental post (as likely a carefully selected deadfall tree with graceful limbs). On the perimeter, the roof could be supported directly on the irregular straw bale/cob walls to create an undulating organic roof line or on a perimeter ring set on exterior posts creating a more regular cone shaped roof. The possibility exists for a round loft centered on and partially supported by the center post. The entryway is well protected with room for a couple of outside chairs also under the overhanging roof. 4. As a concession to the inside or outside plumbing debate, the bath functions are located outside the thick straw bale/cob walls with access from inside, taking advantage of the space created under the roof by the radically curved walls. Climate permitting, the shower could be partially formed with glass block, and an unconventional rear exit can be added through the toilet room. Shown is built in seating with storage under in the "living room" with a cob fire place also build in with wood storage under the seats. A round "kitchen" table surrounds the central post. A futon on a raised, built in bed provides storage under. An optional curtain partitions the "master bedroom" and access to the bath and walk in closets). 5. As many cob structures, for now, will be built outside code jurisdictions, this design is suggested with a thatch roof over a heavy bamboo roof structure. Consider building the roof first, providing yourself a protected outdoor living area (palapa), then raise the walls...later...much later...if you still want to. Enjoy your house while it is still a Palapa. 6. Please feel free to add any comment, critique, or question you may have relating to this plan. Take as much space as you need. Your input is encouraged and will be added to the comment section.

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