Earthen Building 101 Series

 

September 4th and 5th, 2010

"Introduction to Cob &

Natural Plasters"

Register

 

September 11th and 18th, 2010

"Lime Mortar Foundation

and Cob Pizza Oven"

Register

Disputanta Cob is a group of locals who promote and teach natural building. We build with lime mortars and plasters, cob and other earthen materials, and salvaged items. Located in the gorgeous foothills of Central KY where spring water is plentiful, land is reasonably priced, and there are few building restrictions, the setting is perfect for natural building.

"Cobbing is a process best described as mud daubing. Earth, sand and straw are mixed together and massaged onto the foundation, creating thick load-bearing walls. It's like hand-sculpting a giant pot to live in.

"Becky Bee - The Cob Builders Handbook

Links:             Natural Building Network              Cob Workshops

What If? 

What if…

    Buildings live in trees

    and sunlight rests in them.

 

What if buildings reach out to pull you in,

                cradling you as long as you are comfortable

       and around every corner are laps for curling up

       and sun-warmed skin for leaning against

       and soft, melodic whispers that sound familiar.

 

What if buildings are supple and fluid…

    feeling like the wind sculpted them on a moist, May day.

 

What if Creativity is a building…

     that calls to you when you have wandered too far a field,

     flashing a Morse code of Sycamore leaves and dappled sunlight and

            sparkling river water to attract your attention,

     leading you gently to its door through a winding pergola of multicolored leaves.

 

What if Creativity holds out its strong wide arms of sun-baked stone and clay

     to offer you fruits and fragrance at its open mouth…

     reminding you of your deepest hunger

     and promising more sustenance inside.

 

What if Creativity…

     carves out a seat to support your weight while you shed the protective shell

     and offers, upfront, a peek into the treasures of the heart, waiting for you,

        if you choose to seek them out, barefoot and brave.

 

What if you let go and allow the edge to lead you…

     following breadcrumbs of color and wings of light across the floor and up the walls,

     beckoning you to dip into side pockets along the way…

      until,

       rounding the corner,

         you find yourself standing, wide-eyed at the edge of a shimmering pool,

         with a warm cup of Jasmine tea waiting for you on the bank.

 

What if the pool is layered… gradients of depth from which to choose-

      places to dip your toes and places to submerge below the surface…

      places for rest and places to dive for the big fish…

      places of nourishment and others for feeling the wide awakeness of hunger…

      and places inviting you to hold another … with your eyes, your touch, your mind.

 

What if Creativity is a cottage…

      how do you find it?

        how do you enter?

          how do you stay?

 

      Who are you when you surrender to it?

 

         How do you experience it, fresh, every time?

                                           and …. how does it experience you?

Written by and sent to us by Beth Reese two weeks after playing in the mud with us.