Cob cottage in Montford: natural building is a community affair.

Designer: Janell Kapoor of Kleiwerks

Builder: Janell Kapoor, Jim Bixby, and a flee group of workshop-goers

Price Tag: undisclosed

Square Footage: Around 600 Construction Type Cob construction: earth, straw, some wood

The motivation behind this cottage was to create an example of a cob building that would inspire people with its beauty. The cottage demonstrates the spectrum of possibilities, strength, and durability that cob construction offers. The cottage, located in the Montford neighborhood, is five minutes from downtown Asheville. This location has helped bring Natural Building where it is most needed: into a highly populated, easy-to-access area. Jim Bixby, the owner, was free with folks dropping by to check out the project. Jim knew that the cottage was to be built through a series of public workshops, and he was open to hosting everyone. All in all, Jim was blown away. He says, "Initially I really didn't know what I was getting into, but in the end, I fell in love with the cob building and what we created." This beautiful little building is used as a backyard hang-out and meditation space.

As this was Kleiwerks" very first project and workshop series there were a few challenges. Kleiwerks and Jim overcame these challenges and learned some valuable lessons along the way. The biggest overall challenge for Natural Building is getting a permit. This process varies from county to county, but generally speaking, it is not easy. It is also not hopeless. There was a brief scare related to a permit early on in the project. After the first four-day workshop, Jim called Janell and told her that while he was away at work, an inspector had been by and posted a big "STOP" notice on the little still-in-progress cottage. Though many neighbors were excited about what was going on, someone apparently ratted on the project. To make a long story short, things turned out fine. The post and beam roof structure needed a few extra nails and knee braces, but the inspectors let the mud go since it was within 'shed size,' which does not need a permit. Whew!!!

One other challenge in the building process was the weather: everyone learned an important lesson: avoid the cold. Luckily, the project group was phenomenal, despite ranging in age from seven to 72. They were very spirited and had a great sense of fun. So, even though it almost snowed when they were stomping wet mud with their bare feet, it only added to the adventure for everyone.

Jim and Kleiwerks recognized that by getting small, beautiful, and well-built natural structures on the ground, building officials would have the opportunity to see them first-hand. They are pioneering the way for others. If there were any doubts about the durability of what had been built, they were happy to invite anyone to drive their car into the new cottage, with no concern for the walls; they're as tough as you can get!

There are man) positive aspects to using earth as a Natural Building product here in Western North Carolina. Earth, especially clay-rich subsoils, as a building material has the benefit of being local, abundant, affordable (dirt cheap), and non-toxic. It is very long-lasting: many of the oldest buildings on the planet are built with earth, including some found in North America. Earth can be harvested just about anywhere: you can even get it from construction/excavation sites. Earthen and other Natural Building methods use minimal embodied energy (especially, when most materials are salvaged), making it a profound political and ecological stand that almost entirely circumvents the toxic factory, petroleum, and war-based industrial and multi-national corporate controlled building industry: hallelujah! Earthen and other Natural Buildings are, by far, some of the most ecologically-sound ways to build given that you've got a smart passive solar hybrid design coupled with higher insulation straw walls. Earthen building, if designed well, can reduce mold and moisture issues in our wet climate, and it lends itself to beautiful, customized one-of-a-kind creations. Earthen and other Natural Building techniques have profound social change potential and bring dignity back to the hands and hearts of people. Natural Building is very accessible and easy to learn, empowering individuals and communities. The building process reconnects us with the earth in a way that many modern people do not typically have the opportunity to do.

Janell Kapoor is Founding Director and Program Coordinator for Kleiwerks in Asheville, NC. Founded in 1998, Kleiwerks is an international Natural Building non-profit organization. Janell is an avid mud mama, international activist, and community organizer. Contact Janell Kapoor at 609-937-1987, by email at [e-mail], or on the web www.kleiwerks.org.

Top Green Points

Credentials: Community-built cob home

Efficiency: Passive solar design, high insulation straw walls

Low Toxicity: Completely non-toxic straw and earth walls

Environmental: Most materials were salvaged, straw walls, completely ecologically sound

What is Natural Building?

Natural Building refers to a number of durable, time-tested and easy to learn construction methods using local clays, sand, straw, stone, bamboo, and other abundant and recycled materials. Natural Building can also be a powerful tool for social change, as it sits at the nexus of a number of pressing issues facing today's world, including affordable housing, sustainable land stewardship and appropriate use of natural resources, localization and beautification of our built environment, cultural survival and community revival. Coupled with permaculture, whole-systems design, and renewable energy, Natural Building provides accessible long-term solutions that can last for generations.