Natural Cob Building Workshop 

Its time to roof our cob house. We are offering you the chance to learn how to build a reciprocal roof using as much natural building materials sourced from our forest. This is a unique opportunity to experience working on the construction of a natural building, meeting like minded people and building connections. Book today as numbers are limited to 8 maximum. A reciprocal roof, also known as a reciprocal frame or reciprocal grid, is a self-supporting roof structure made of overlapping rafters that interlock and support each other, eliminating the need for a central support. This design creates a strong and visually appealing roof, often with an open center or skylight. Camping is available in our forest at no extra cost. The term “cob” is English in origin and means “mud building”, but also might reference the English word, cob for loaf or brick. Cob uses no molds, forms, or bricks to create, it is a free-flowing claylike medium sculpted onto a foundation to create thick, load-bearing walls. Cob can be built in cool damp climates like Ireland: its resistance to rain and cold makes cob well suited in all but the coldest parts of the world. Cob is very resistant to weathering. Cob has unique properties which make it as strong and more durable than concrete. Many people build their own homes after taking a one week long cob building workshop. It is very rewarding to be able to build your home with your own two hands. Our plan is to build a nature observation cob house also integrating a composting toilet, running water and electricity. The roof will be constructed with timber and clad in natural grasses. We plan to source up to 93% of the building materials in-house from our farm. This workshop will span two days and will cover roofing design, insulation and weather proofing our new cob structure. arrival at 9am. We will break at 11am for 20 mins. Lunch will be served at 13:00 for 30 mins. Afternoon break will be at 15:00 for 20 mins. Finish at 17:00. Date Saturday 19th July at 9:00. Finish at 16:00 Sunday 20th July at 9:00. Finish at 16:00. Location R32PHY5 Portlaoise Co Laois