Groundwork Ep. 1: Cob Building - Clay, Sand & Straw Walls

This YouTube video from Optik Local's Groundwork series demonstrates hands-on cob building, sculpted from clay, sand, and straw mixtures. The full mind-body process requires patience, starting with site prep and footings, then mixing and applying cob in layers for walls. Key techniques: stomp mixes by foot for homogeneity, build arches and niches sculpturally, and integrate natural finishes. Thermal mass ensures stable temps, ideal for permaculture homesteads. Practical details cover tool lists (shovels, tarps), safety (gloves, hydration), and drying times (weeks per section). Real builds show integration with food forests, rainwater harvesting, and solar orientation. Yields: durable, earthquake-resistant structures at $40-60/sq ft. Viewer learns sequences: foundation rubble trenches, wall rises to 12ft, roof tie-ins with timber. Community labor emphasized, with roles for all ages. Resilience testing implied via natural disaster performance. Post-build: plasters for weatherproofing, interior limewashes. Ties to regenerative living with zero-waste sourcing. Episode provides step-by-step for 100m² homes, including error avoidance like over-wetting mixes. Supported by TELUS funding, it offers BC/Alberta context for cold climates. Depth includes artistic sculpting for passive features like benches, thermal benches. Metrics: 90% material locality, 85% energy savings. Essential for practitioners seeking video-guided, quantifiable methods.