With an increase in environmentally conscious builders and exposure at a global level, cob as a natural building alternative is gaining mainstream popularity all over the world. As art worlds become more participation based, people will also want to participate more in the creation of their dwellings. Most traditional buildings materials don’t connect home-owners with the design process, and almost never the building process. Cob offers an easy building method that can be done by anyone of any age, class, and background who is willing to devote time and labor to it. Also, many people want to feel more connected to nature by living in small, low impact, natural home made from locally sourced biodegradeable materials. With commercial platforms such as contemporary TV shows like “Tiny House Nation” and “Tiny House, Big Living”, small houses like cob cottages are being idealized and highly sought after. Movies have also factored in to the heightened exposure and interest in cob– on the set of Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, dozens of quaint, hillside cob cottages exist that are seen by millions!
Popularity of earthen building has waxed and waned throughout human history, but I believe as long as there is earth available, people will create dwellings with it. Long-term, I see if even gaining acceptance and demand, as the supplies of other resources, such as wood diminishes. In the future there might be an increase in hybrid natural structures utilizing cob alongside straw bale, cored wood, rammed earth, etc. depending on location of the site and availability of resources. Also, at the moment, it is very difficult to get a building permit for livable cob structures in almost every state. Most cob homes being built, are “under the radar” or fall into the category of non-livable structures like studios, greenhouses, or sheds. I think over time, as the experience and expertise surrounding cob grows and is shared, the state and government will see the validity that cob is a safe way to create a livable dwelling. Since there currently isn’t a set of building codes or absolute rules for constructing with cob, I think eventually a cob building code will be adopted which will hopefully lead to the increase in permits issued to build with cob. Though cob and its participants have a free flowing spirit, that may or may not adhere to these adopted building codes in the future.
On the flip side, thinking about the future of architecture, perhaps interest will shift to man-made materials, such as durable plastics, for building. Manufactured homes, or pods might become the staple as we look into the future as land becomes less available and humans have to build more vertically to accommodate the continuously growing population. I like to think earthen building will still have a place in the world, at least for a few more hundred years. Since cob building in the United States is still in its infancy, but has a rich historical context and wide reaching scope, I don’t think its popularity will lessen anytime soon.
Sources:
https://cordwoodconstruction.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/hybrid-cordwood-in-north-carolina/
http://www.shastahistory.org/hobbit-house.html/best-hobbit-house-of-hobbit-house-new-zealand-photo-gallery
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