Instructor Notes for Guiding Make Adobe Bricks

Scheduling Notes:
This project is generally completed in the area north of the shop/classroom.  
2022 Note: one person completed the BB and several people made a few bricks and the project was completed in under 2 hours.

Preparation (before event):

Clay - Hydrated or soaking

Gather (Boots or Participants):

Tarp and hydrated clay

Form for Bricks

Sand from Arackas in 5-gallon Buckets

Organic Straw - can be cut

Water - 4- or 5-gallon containers/jugs/buckets

Bucket with 1-2 gallons of water for rinsing hands and feet while making cob

.

Mix COB

4 gallons of hydrated clay (not clay slip)

3-4 gallons of sand

mix well and adjust moisture and sand/clay content

add straw and mix well

Prepare the form and make bricks

place on level(ish) ground and fill in with sand so the bricks will not protrude out the bottom of the form

get the form wet!

throw handfuls of COB into form to eliminate air pockets

use a screed board to level the top

remove any material from the top of the form

after the last brick has set for about 15 minutes, lift/shake the form and allow bricks to settle to the ground

after several hours, turn the bricks on their sides and get the finial photo

great set if instructions.
I have seen handles fitted to the ends of the mould so you can slip your hand under and lift the mould.
Just like wheelbarrow handle shapes.
In real life the pudding hole might be the start of a post or an excavation area.
Often to soil removed fro foundations is good and can be piled and covered to prevent drying.