a tour of cobville

Paul Wheaton · #1 01/10/10, 11:50 PM

This shows about eight cob cottages:

Cheribelle · #2 01/11/10, 05:07 AM

Bump so I can look at it later :0)

Explorer · #3 01/11/10, 08:25 AM

Paul, maybe I missed it, but where is cobville located? I find this concept very interesting and maybe the way of the future.

palani · #4 01/11/10, 08:56 AM

COB is a material. Mud and straw mostly. Possibly a little Portland.

calliemoonbeam · #5 01/11/10, 09:11 AM

The video says it's in Coquille, Oregon. Very interesting, Paul, thanks for sharing!

Paul Wheaton · #6 01/11/10, 10:01 AM

Yup, Coquille, Oregon.

You can find out more about them at cobcottage.com

Explorer · #7 01/11/10, 10:17 AM

I'm thinking about a little trip up north this summer. Wisconsin over to Idaho over the course of two or three months. I haven't been along the Oregon coast for a few years and this looks like a good reason to return.

I was actually looking for the exact address (street or whatever).

Paul Wheaton · #8 01/11/10, 10:26 AM

I don't have an exact address. I seem to remember getting directions.

I'm not sure if they do tours or what, but you have to remember that this is a collection of homes, so I think arranging a tour would be wise. And, I would think, paying for a tour would be reasonable.

I have more clips and pics of another eco village right next door that I hope to get on youtube in a few weeks. And then you might want to arrange to see both!

fishhead · #9 01/11/10, 11:09 AM

There are some commercial solar heated cob buildings open for tours in Pine River MN. Just search for HUGS.

Paul Wheaton · #10 01/19/10, 03:16 PM

part 2!

The last house is the best house!

Tom in TN · #11 01/19/10, 03:58 PM

//Sarcasm light on//
Just delightful. I think the Hobbits and Smurfs would really enjoy a place like this.
//Sarcasm light off//

You must be kidding.

Tom in TN

Paul Wheaton · #12 01/19/10, 04:02 PM

Checking the ground for small goats ..... it turns out I am not kidding.

People currently live in these structures.

I could be wrong, but I suspect that while they thoroughly enjoy living there (no mortgage and they grow nearly all of their own food) that this style of living might not be a fit for you.

kabri · #13 01/19/10, 04:11 PM

Part of me really likes these houses, but I about got sick with the camera guy/gal.... Geeze! difficult video to watch.....edited because I just saw the disclaimer saying some video is better than none. But it made me disappointed because I could not see the houses very well.

I wonder how well these "houses" would hold up in an earthquake????

Paul Wheaton · #14 01/19/10, 04:14 PM

I am the crappy video taker. This is one of my earlier videos. I think my more recent stuff is way better.

I think you are the fifth person that has suggested I get lessons or something.

Do you think this 500 hot showers video is better:

This is done with my new camera, although the wind gets in the microphone a bit.

kabri · #15 01/19/10, 04:40 PM

That shower is a GREAT idea! I think you have an excellent speaking voice on the video Paul, and yes, this one is better. Wind can be a big problem, one of those foam or fuzzy mic covers can help. Best is a remote mic on the person being interviewed, or a boom mic with the fuzzy stuff on it. I've shot a lot of industrial video in Alaska, finally broke down and got a mono-pod for my camera. I think it's near impossible to hold a small video camera still for long periods with just your hands. Pan slower than you think you need to, or make a cut with the stop button, re-frame your shot, and start the camera again. I've almost cried when I've had to leave what I hoped would be really cool shots on the editing room floor because it was not steady enough to use.
Sorry to get annoyed, video taking and editing are a long time hobby of mine, and you have some great educational subject matter to share! Here's my most recent, all shot with a hand-held camera, prior to getting the mono-pod. Some of the spaces I had to get into to do this could not fit a tri-pod even if I had one!

This hot water video is very educational, DH is going to love it and will want to build one soon!

Paul Wheaton · #16 01/19/10, 04:59 PM

I visit a LOT of farms. And it is just once in a long while that there is something worth filming. So I just carry the camera in my pocket and fire up when there is something cool. I don't have a fancy camera where an external mic would be good. It turns out that the stuff I video usually has nothing even close to it on youtube, so I get to be "the best" even with awful video.