Making the Earth our home
As a builder who works with natural materials, Jim Haim inevitably keeps finding himself at home inside the earth. Best known as the co-founder and co-teacher at Ashland's Wilderness Charter School, Haim also coordinates an organization called COB Together, short for "Creating Organic Buildings Together." Here, he teaches building methods such as cob, strawbale, light straw-clay and papercrete which utilize dirt, straw, sand and paper fiber as construction mediums. Haim revels in sharing this functional, fun, all ages, community activity and will co-teach two workshops in the Williams Valley this summer.
Earthly Foundations
Cob is crafted with a specific mixture of dirt, sand, straw and water and becomes as hard as sandstone when it dries. This age-old method has its roots in adobe, which is made of a similar blend of materials with less straw, and is shaped into individual bricks. Cob takes form in a single mass that is made by layering the mixture on an established foundation. Strawbale, a more familiar method, utilizes straw bales as building blocks, which are covered with chicken wire then stucco, such as a natural plaster. Natural building structures can be found throughout the Valley, including the Wilderness Charter School's strawbale classroom, papercrete shed and cob oven
Such building methods have seen a resurgence of interest as more people look towards ecologically friendly, affordable and simple construction methods. Cob and strawbale have high thermal mass, making them appropriate for the local climate. Hybrid cob-strawbale homes, which provide better insulation than cob alone, are needed in areas with colder winters such as regions bordering the Rogue Valley. Cob is sturdy enough to support a roof on its own, though a post and beam frame may be used. Strawbale almost always requires a frame, as it is not a sufficiently load-bearing alone. Structures must sit on a rock or concrete foundation and have overhanging roofs to prevent significant contact with water. In cob structures, inside walls, niches, cabinetry and even furniture can all be shaped into the emerging structure. Buildings may have radiant heating integrated into the earthen floor, and built-in earthen ovens for winter heating.
Good from the Ground Up
Cob builders enthusiastically enumerate its positive points. Haim says one of his favorite aspects is the enjoyable experience it provides. "It is fun to do together and a wonderful community undertaking, like a traditional barn raising." It is known for environmental benefits including the use of natural, locally-sourced and non-toxic materials, its minimal need for heating and cooling, and "breathable" walls that permit air exchange. The dirt that is excavated for a foundation is typically the basis of the cob mix, making sourcing as local as you can get. High thermal mass, the key to energy efficiency, also makes structures comfortable. Affordability is a plus, with costs as low as $500 and most under $5,000. Cob lends itself to artistic beauty and creativity since forms are hand made and typically feature curves rather than hard edges. "Your home can become a sculpture," says Haim.
Cob is fire resistant, making it ideal for the forest-covered Northwest. Construction can be done by hand or with light machinery, which minimizes noise and worksite hazards and makes it easier to build structures off the beaten path. Cob requires relatively little training to get started. Haim calls natural building a "democratic" process because all ages can participate in a meaningful way. Properly built structures are long lasting, with cob buildings standing for several hundred years or more.
Building a Tradition
To share his passion and help others experience the joyful rewards of natural building, Haim began teaching three years ago. He has practiced the art for 14 years and done traditional construction, giving him a perspective on its uniqueness. "It is the most fun building material I've worked with so far. You sculpt the earth with your hands and feet to make your home. Working with so many people has such as community feel," says Haim.
This summer Haim is co-teaching two hands-on workshops with Taylor Starr White Oak Farm and Education center in the Williams Valley. From June 23-30, they will offer a longer "Comprehensive Cottage Construction" course that covers the cob-strawbale building process from start to finish, including theory and design elements. From July 20-30, they will teach the shorter "Basics of Cob Building" class, which highlights the basic elements of the design and construction process. Workshops include on-site camping and organic meals from White Oak Farm.
Those interested in signing up or receiving more information can contact Haim at 488-0916, info@cobtogether.com or visit cobtogether.com.
