Selected Projects

Cob Ovens

Various - 2012-2015

Materials - clay rich earth, sand & straw

Clay or cob ovens are a staple component of natural buiding. Often it’s the very first thing someone interested in building with earth will try. Plus the pizza and bread taste fantastic. An over requires a plynth, a hearth of fire-brick, a high quality clay and sand fire resistant mixture for the first layer, a high stray content fiberous second layer for insulation and a finish plaster. By succesively applying all these layers one acquires a sense of the range of applications which clay is suitable for. If the clay dome collapses or cracks, it’s easy to rebuild and so the first mistakes and a general acquaintance with earth construction are made on safe ground.