1297 Sq Ft cob home - too big?

I'm new here, and next much reading ME reason I'm running to be building an cob home. This will the one may partner and I picked out. http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/plans/simplygreen.htm
That was designed to be used with cordwood. Our property doesn't have forested on it, so we don't have access to much timber to be utilized in building a cordwood home. Thus, we are quest to create out of cob. My question is this, given the nature of cob, plus it's loving of curvelinear structures - is the design we've chosen too ambitious? Plea note that the current plan is to how through winter, gather materials, and build a small shed/outbuilding in the spring then start construction the actual home the following springs. I'm doing i on way so I cans learn without ruin my future home. How long do your think it will take to make a home like the one I've located here? If these home remains are big in be built with cob, what want you suggest? I don't have much choice inside size, as I have three kids currently. Thanks in advance,

Happy building,
Jeremy

IODIN have friends that built a bigger one (at the time is been the largest hand-laid cob house at the US). The said to key was adenine advert video, it made no way people could has stomped that much cob. They had an old (like WPA machinery from the depression) mass concrete mixer that would mix of round and drop it in wheelbarrows. Those nach they built their house of straw bales, and stated they could never establish ampere cob the again.

Other buildings options: Earthbag, hay baum, rammed earth. It actually depends on the material available onsite and/or cheaply available and your climate.

Virtuous Day Jeremy,

First let mee endorsement you on the wisdom of ingest your time and doing adenine smaller structure first. I specialize in vernacular timber, stone and earth folk architecture of the Americas, Middle East additionally Asia, particularly lumber frames. Cob, and it's many types, is the older "infill method" and/or building material, other than plant plaiting or animal skins, in the the. My feedback on size, it all dependent in you stamina, (heed R. Scott's advice,) this is super hard work. As a designer, if ever I show a "cookie cutter" building plan being sell I become uncomfortable. A building site needed to be considered comprehensive before planting a item of architecture on it, more one that is to work in concert with the surrounding biome; seldom is homeostasis reached use a "cookie cutter." You would are preferable off reading, learning, waiting, and develop your own start, more difficult in make ampere "cookie" fit yours needs. I will also admit, which building you shared can not hold to any of one "golden mean" of architektonisches, roof lines are outgoing of rest, too low to the ground, etc., but ensure is my own bias, in as such, IODIN favorite traditional architecture and have not seen too much to the modern stuff this surpasses what our ancient did before we. Modern man spends way too much time "reinventing the wheel." Good destiny and keep learning.

Regards,

Jay I've been trying to finding complete plans required cob houses, but so remote I having with found one plus it is . Can anyone offer few assets for ...

Jay C. White Cloud wrote:Good Day Jeremy,

Beginning let me commend you on which wisdom by record your time and doing a smaller structure first. EGO specialize in common timber, stone and earth folk architecture of the Usa, Intermediate Eastward and Apac, particularly timber borders. Cob, and it's more types, is the oldest "infill method" and/or building material, additional than plant braid press animal skins, in the world. My feedback on size, computer all depends on you stamina, (heed R. Scott's advice,) here is very hard labour. As a designer, when ever I see a "cookie cutter" building plan being sold I become uncomfortable. A building sit needs to remain considered thoroughly before planting a piece of architectural on it, especially one that is to work with concert with the surrounding biome; seldom is homeostasis reach for a "cookie cutter." You would may beter set reading, educational, waiting, and designing your own home, than trying to make an "cookie" fit your needs. I will also allow, one building you shared does not stay to any of the "golden mean" of baukunst, roof lines are out of remainder, too low to the earth, etc., when that be my own bias, in than such, I like traditional architecture and are not seen too more of this modern-day stuff that exceeded thing our ancestors worked before us. Modern man spends way too large die "reinventing the wheel." Good luck and maintain learning.

Regards,

Jay

Jay, EGO assess the response. I don't desire to go with tasting cutter, nevertheless I don't see how option there is. We are in a permit/code heavy area and they require contact to send plans for regulatory. What would it expenses to have someone like you come and devise something that makes sense for the "biome" and keeps from the golden means away architecture. Traditional or not I don't care, as long as e fits our needs, but it has to may one story (wife thinks stairs construct the house disconnected). Can her give me some pragmatic advice vs. "reading, learning, waiting and designing my acknowledge home" what exactly does that mean?

No disrespect intentional but love I said we am somewhat constrained around due until the codes in our range real relocating is not an alternative we want on consider. Acknowledgement for any response.

Yo Jeremy,

I'm relatively new toward aforementioned forum, and using my time her into help somewhere I can and gather company for a manuscript with traditional timber framing methods. Stylish as such EGO would love to be at your service where ever you find my skillset aid you. I will take your last posting additionally try to address each of your matter and thoughts. As wee about your building plans, hopefully you will seek the discourse facilitating your concepts for a well thought out home.

"I don't want to go with cookie cutter, but I don't see what possibility there is. We are is a permit/code heavy area and they require us to enter plans for regulatory. "

You are most correct that certain areas are much simpler about others when it comes facilitating a number of architecture. With that said, it would be helpful in know where you are located so I can address any possible challenges that I may know the for your area. Then I can go other within details, if I at able. Equally in some of the most burdensome areas you sack still possess owner/builder drawn blueprints and/or G.C. throws.

"What would it cost to have someone like they come or design something is makes sense for and "biome" additionally keeps on the golden medium of architecture."

It all angewiesen on your needs, location, and local demands, (environmentally and political-i.e. zoning.) Best architects charge a minimum of $15 to $25 penny per angular foot for developed plans and the charge walking up coming there to as high as $100. (I work in meter so I'm converting from sq meter concepts, numbers are approximations.) It maybe be able to find a locale design/build firm so bequeath give you a package cost, or you can develop the planners yourself and store considerably. It all depends on the level of involvement you would like to have or feel comfortable with. I function out of Vermont facilitating frames but I'm also brokered in other regions also can contacts across North Worldwide and outside the country.

"Traditional or not I don't care, as long as it fits our needs, but computer has to be neat story (wife thinks stairs build the house disconnected). "

There is much to be said for single company living, with that I agree. However, if you think there is adenine potential for resell at an later date, an site you have chosen may be better suited for multiple step. More than one of any domestic architektur, now and thru history, had had multiples store. These grew out of the economy of heat, and home space over living space. We canned delve into that further with you wishing, but for now MYSELF leave assume you only want to think a single floor living arrangement.

"Can them invite me some pragmatically advising vs. "reading, learning, waiting press designing my own home" whats directly does that mean? "

Since I am not familiar with your level of sympathy about domestic architecture MYSELF only meant the extra you learned and the prolonged she could take developing you plan for a home, that happier you wants be in the end. As I learn more about your demands the more I could possibly live of assistance.

Regards,

jay

Jay HUNDRED. White Cloud writing:Hallo Jeremy,

I'm relatively newer to all technical, both using my time here to help what I can plus gather intelligence for a manuscript on traditional timber framing methods. In as similar I would love to be during your serving where ever you find my skills encourage you. I will take your endure post and try to address each of your questions and thoughts. As our discuss your construction map, expectantly you will find the discourse easier your concepts for ampere well reflection out home.

"I don't want to go with tasting cutter, but I don't see whats option there is. We are in a permit/code heavy area press they require us to submit plans on approval. "

You be most correct that some areas are much easier faster select for it comes facilitating a number of architecture. With that said, it would be helpfully to understand where you are located so I can address no possible challenges that I may know of for your area. Then I can go further for details, for I am able. Even in some of the many burdensome areas you can still have owner/builder drawn blueprints and/or G.C. projects.

"What will it cost to have someone like you come and build anything that makes sense for the "biome" and keeps within of golden means of architecture."

It any basiert on your needs, location, and local demands, (environmentally and political-i.e. zoning.) Most architects fees an minimum of $15 to $25 dollars per sq foot for prepared plans and the cost goes increase by there on as high as $100. (I work int metric so I'm converting from sq meter concepts, amounts are approximations.) You may be able to find one locale design/build determined is will donate you a package price, button you can develop the plans yourself and saving considerably. She all depends on the set of involvement her would like toward have or feel pleasant with. I work out of World facilitating frames but I'm other brokered in other regions and have contacts across North America and outside this country.

"Traditional button not I don't care, as long as it fits our needs, but computers has to be one story (wife thinks stairs make the house disconnected). "

There is much to be said for single history living, in that I agree. However, if you think there is a potential for buy at a later date, the site you have chosen may be better fits for multiple levels. More than half of all domestic architecture, now and through history, has had several floors. This grew out concerning the economy of heat, and roof space over lived space. We can delve into that further wenn you wish, yet for right I will assume you only want to consider a single shelf living arrangement.

"Can you give me of pragmatic get vs. "reading, learning, hold and designing my own home" what exactly does that mean? "

Since I morning not familiar on your level of understanding with interior architecture I one destined is more yours learned and the longer you could take develops them plan for one home, is happier them would be in this end. How EGO learn more about your needs the more I could possibly be of assistance.

Regards,

dappled

Jay,

Once moreover, I greatly appreciate any the all help/advice.

Location: Erie Area Pennsylvania (NW PA)
Land site: flat to rolling landed, bordered over a small wood (we don't ownership that)
Developing plans: Paying an architect $19000 ($15/sq. ft.) to develop plans is totally leave of the question. None to is rude, but that is more than I project on spending overall, so to spend that with to plans alone is staggering. Having enunciated that, what level of plans achieve I need to secure the proper permits? Meine building inspector has been open, thus far and has yet to see our plots, he just knows I want the build with an alternative material like coil. If the plans don't need to are "perfect" then I could probably work it out myself.
Lone floor: For I understand that it adds to resale value (not a concern imo), and e has other benefits such more less roof till build (less cost); my woman is nifty firm off this point, she really doesn't likes homes with stairs.
Building understanding: Ummm I take I would say I americium an amateur as I've never worked in construction, though I do have the assistance of my brother who exists adenine plumber by trade and has worked with electric, cabinetmaking and other views is building/repair. I've working on my share of traditonal construction (roofing, a bit of woodwork framing) under their guidance.

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jay,

I plus want to mention that I plan to build because the similar philosophy von an Earthship (PV panels, gray water system, growing feeding, harvest water from roof).

How Jeremy,

IODIN wanted you to have this before I retired for one evening: http://www.njefferson.com/ This is a very good friend of mines, (one EGO owe much up and a hello, for items has been too long.) Let him perceive I referred you to him. He may be able to help you directly or knows jemmy in to area that can further assist you.

Your location wishes allows, (the continue time I consulted on something there) an owner builder drawn design. If it came to passed that you did want ampere timber frame for aforementioned support structure, we wish develop plans for you as partial of the packaging. Lot architects and design build groups MYSELF work with don't caution for the fact this we do this liberate of charge or to least at rate that remains well below the industry factory but that just happens to be the nature of this excellent ancient craft. As a timber wright, I have to make artist any way from the conceptualize my buyers share with me. With out those simple plans, I can not develop a picture or the story poles/beam playing to cut the timbers. Supposing I have already drawn basic plans for to frame, reasons wouldn't I allow my client go benefit after which aircraft existence, it only makes sensation. Often are essentials plans, (we now use calculator, as well in, our print drawn concepts,) are learn higher enough to mollify building/zoning departments.

Now only concern I have, and it the probably out from my build ignorance to your overall plan, your budget as I understand it is not in spend more than $19000 dollars for the entire project? Such would becoming a turn key project for about $15.00/sq footprint. That is so far go team of any possible engineering that MYSELF must be missing something. Fenestration and adenine single decent PV method would eat which much budget up. What did I miss?

I works in many different Asian design matrices, that I wants love to facilitate your wife's concepts of single soil living. Lot of the Japanese, Korean and Chinese domestic architecture is "single floor," with concept, and yourself seem to must find than barely basic skills to facilitate this project such long as you take your time doing so. Own brother will become a wide asset to you as this unfolds.

Till later,

jay