Taylor Olsooon

Hello, I'm building a hybrid hyperadobe and light straw clay building and am getting to the point where I'm ready to put in a floor. I'm in the Joshua Tree area and was wondering about what an earthen floor out here might need. Money is quite tight right now, but I need to get a floor in sooner rather than later with winter approaching. My biggest questions are what kind of layers I'll actually need in a desert climate with very little moisture/precip.

The interior is currently dug downed and loosely leveled sand about 10" below where I'd like the finished floor to be. I see most people lay down gravel and a moisture barrier below there earthen levels
Are these layers necessary in a very dry climate? I have a good mix for the floor as I've earth plastered the exterior of the house so far (lime later) with very little cracking and nice rigidity. Would it be feasible to start pouring this mix directly down onto the sand/dirt? I've attached a few photos of what it looks like right now.

What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Hey folks!
I am new to Cob building, and could not be more psyched to start the journey. I will soon be purcasing some rural land in Joshua Tree, CA, and would like to build a 625 square  foot cob home out there. I am still a ways off from starting any kind of building (Probably next summer), but am scheming and planning my build every second. The foundation will certainly be the most difficult part, as I do not have much concrete experience.

That brings up my first question: Has anyone laid down a foundation for a 625 sqaure foot cob home themselves with success? Any tips?

Second question concerning the cob itself. From the Morongo Basin soil analysis done by the DOA it seems like the soil/earth around where I want to build is only 1-8% clay. Is there anyway that would work for cob? Am I going to have to source my clay from somewhere else? Lincoln clay? If so, any idea how much I would need for 625 square feet, single story, 20" thick walls?

Third question: How feasible is it to build "under the radar"? I would rather not spend a fortune and time on permiting. Anyone had good success building under the radar in rural areas? I don't need the governments hands in my home.

Thanks folks! Can't wait to get this started!