Hime Kiki

Apologies for any confusion. I meant to inquire about the difference between mud bricks and cob, specifically in terms of suitability for a hot humid climate.

Your insights on corrugated iron roofing are appreciated, especially the suggestion about insulation for noise reduction. It's intriguing that many Australians find the rain on the roof soothing. I'll certainly look into the corrugated iron roof, especially since I’m considering solar panels. And thank you for the ebook suggestion; I've acquired one now.

Regarding my curiosity about a two-story building, is it possible to construct the floor in cob for the second level? I'm also pondering the cost comparison between building two one-story houses versus one two-story earth building.

Additionally, I'm uncertain about the soil composition; it appears very red and dry like sand but the local are building their cob house with it so I guess there is some clay in it. Here, hand-pressed earth bricks and machine-made ones are also available. I assume bricks might be less secure as separate pieces but quicker to build – is that correct?

John C Daley wrote:First things to consider doing on your land.
- start planning tree locations prepare soil and plant.
- study land and determine house location
- do rudimentary soil tests
- study books or read tutorials about cob, also known as mudbrick or adobe.
- consider water catchment from roof, a square corrugated iron roof can be installed on a circular building
- think about septic tank location and construction style

Thank you for the insightful suggestions! Starting with planning tree locations and preparing the soil sounds like a great approach. I appreciate the idea of water catchment, though I have reservations about the look and noise of corrugated iron roofs in heavy rain. Could you recommend alternative durable and cost-effective roofing materials that complement cob construction? Also, any suggestions for ebooks on cob construction would be greatly appreciated as I delve into this exciting project.
Additionally, I’m curious about the comparison between plaster and mud bricks – which one is considered better for the construction, both in terms of effectiveness and durability?

Nancy Reading wrote:I found an architecture site discussing African Taita vernacular housing and I can see that the designs work well in that climate.

source

Thank you for your detailed insights! I truly appreciate the round shape concept, and I'm seriously considering it for my place. The idea of a thatched roof, possibly with a second roof inside to address bird and insect issues, is appealing. While I'm exploring more permanent materials for longevity, my plan is to create an open-sided, round building gazebo for daytime use. I envision staying outside all year since the weather is generally sweet. There's a bit of rain and cooler periods in June and July, prompting the need for windows and blankets, but overall, it's mostly hot. The only significant challenge I anticipate is the presence of mosquitoes and insects, more than the cold. I'm eager to find a suitable solution for this. Also the problem of the local house style is that they are very very dark inside I’d like to have more windows and much bigger size. Where do you suggest I star studying about cob houses? I want to be prepared to ask the right thing to the designer and the workers. What is the first thing to do in the land like put the septic tanks? And I’ve heard that maintaining thatched roofs can be expensive, especially now that it’s popular in the area with many hotels adopting it. I’ll be sure to ask around for insights on how people manage and maintain their thatched roofs. Thanks again for your thoughtful suggestions!

John C Daley wrote:Are you a local, they may have designs and techniques that suit your area

No I’m a foreigner.

Traditional houses here are constructed using materials such as palm leaves, grass, mud, and cow dung, but in a very rudimentary way, making them less durable. The local Makuti-style roof, while beautiful, tends to lack longevity as it is thatched with sun-dried leaves of the coconut palm and can be expensive to change a big roof every 5 years or so .

Considering alternatives like cob or straw bale for construction is on my mind, but I lack knowledge about them. While I initially desired a natural foundation, research suggests that using concrete might be more practical than purely natural materials. I'm seeking more opinions, and even for the roof, I'm contemplating using concrete based on what I've seen in cob house tutorials on YouTube. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello everyone! I'm exploring the possibility of building my own natural home in the Kenya Coast region, situated approximately 2 km from the sea, where the weather is consistently hot and humid with a subtropical climate. I have access to local materials such as basic cob for house construction, red mud, makuti (palm trees) roofs, stones and mangrove hoods. Ventilation is a key consideration due to the tropical climate. The size I’m thinking is a spacious two bedroom. I'd appreciate guidance on the planning process, where to start, and what questions to ask constructors. Your insights on what to prioritize in the initial stages would be immensely helpful. Thanks in advance for your expertise!