The other day I posted about the Hobbit House Shed that sent droves of readers to our site. We haven’t talk much about cordwood, so I thought you’d be interested in The Little Cordwood Barn – a cordwood/earthbag structure at A Homestead Daughter Blog.
“Hey Everybody! Popping in with some pictures to share of the cordwood barn we’re building. We built a floating foundation with rammed tires and tamped earthbags. Then we stuccoed over them with cement. And now we’re doing the cordwood! Yay. It’s so fun to be back to playing in the mud. Some of you know we built our house this way, and it was sooo much fun. I love building with these natural, free materials. I can imagine the boy Jesus and his parents working to build a dwelling the same way, with the adobe. I bet He loved doing it too.
We’re building this one load bearing, which means the cordwood will be supporting the roof. The corners are stacked like a self supported firewood pile. Theresa and Annie are our official pointers. Their job is to come back after we’ve finished laying a section of wall and smooth the surface of the cob with bent butter knives. They are very efficient at their job, let me tell you! I can’t hold a candle to their talent for pointing.”
Source: A Homestead Daughter
Rob Roy’s Earthwood Home
Note: It’s not necessary to put tires under the earthbags. It’s faster and easier to use all earthbags. Search our blog for extensive details on earthbag foundations/gravel bag foundations. The preferred technique is to fill poly bags, doubled bagged for strength, with gravel. You can also make insulated foundations with lightweight volcanic gravel such as scoria or pumice in cold climates.
Hey, just wanted to point out that your link is incorrect and this is the original source for the post: http://www.thatfamilyblog.com/2010/11/our-little-cobwood-barn-project-is.html
The blog, as well as the blog project, belong to my awesome family! :)
Mary
I have to say that while I love earthbags, my husband is more drawn to the cordwood. In our area, termites are a big issue and I think marrying the two building techniques will be right up our alley. Btw, I really like the Toros design!! My mind has been racing with all the possbilities for that. Will add my comments and ideas on that blog.