This beautiful contemplative space was built of clay-rich soil, sand, straw, hemp and water in a process called cob construction. Lumps of the hand - mixed soil materials are rolled into balls and piled to make organic shaped walls. This structure is an example of natural building techniques and utilizes simple passive solar heat through the south facing windows. Solar heat is stored in the insulated earthen floor. The cob walls are double-wall construction with insulating straw between withes (walls) and have a mineral pigment colored plaster.

Built by volunteers and the occupants of the house who participated in workshops conducted by Joseph Kennedy of Builders Without Borders, and in workgroups that City Repair organized. This 120 square foot structure cost $1,200 for materials and $2,400 for instruction fees/costs and received a City of Portland Office of Sustainability Green Building Grant.

Earth floors of cob, linseed oil, beeswax are built over a pumice base course for insulation and a moisture break. The roof is an "ecoroof" that uses a recycled roof membrane and bamboo gutters, and has soil and plants on top to retain storm water.Salvaged materials included foundation infill, steel rebar reinforcement, wool blankets for roof insulation, doors, windows, lumber, and plywood. Lumber was also remilled from recycled wood pallets. The front yard at this house has been converted to a permaculture garden, including a rainwater harvesting and storage system and compost bin. The garden supplies fresh vegetables for the house and the larger neighborhood as the basis for a local economy and relationship-building.

System Details

System Type: Passive solar heating

Recycled materials

Cob construction

Earthen floors

Ecoroof

Home: Built in 2002

Design: Mark Lakeman

Pedro Ferbel

Funding: City of Portland, Office of

Sustainable Development, Grant