Permitted Cob

DATES: May 31st, 2025

INSTRUCTORS: Greg + Stephen

STUDENT #: 15 students [maximum]

COST:

$175 Early Bird Rate (30 days in advance)
$195 Regular Rate
5% discount for family + friends participating together
10% discount for BIPOC participants

DESCRIPTION:

This course will introduce students to the experience of taking on a permitted cob project. Since cob is considered an alternative building material (even though it’s been used for thousands of years!), there are more steps to go through in obtaining a permit, as compared to a conventionally-framed home.

We have planned a schedule that allows for a good balance of hands-on work, versus presentations and discussions. We will mix cob by foot and by machine, explore a variety of cob recipes and their compression test results, and build a part of a cob wall using a forming system.

The co-instructor for this course, Stephen Hren, has completed two permitted cob projects in North Carolina - in two different counties - and will share his experience with his most recent project, which was finished in 2023. Stephen will give a slideshow presentation after lunch to discuss his process and answer questions. We’ll also enjoy a short tour of our Mud Dauber Campus, to discuss some of our demonstration buildings here.

*mixing cob by foot
*mixing cob by machine
*installing cob in a form system
*discussion of cob codes and permitting process
*Q&A session
9:00-12:45 Mixing cob by foot and machine, and installing cob
12:45-1:45 Lunch break
1:45-4:30 Slideshow Presentation, discussion of cob compression tests, and Q+A
4:30-5:00 Closing Circle
Food is not provided for this course; please bring a packed lunch. A refrigerator is available in our dining space.
Lodging options are not available for this course, as people typically commute.
This workshop is held on-site at the Mud Dauber campus, on our small homestead in Snow Camp, NC.
We are 10 min away from Saxapahaw, 20 minutes from Siler City & Pittsboro, 30 minutes from Carrboro/Chapel Hill, and one hour from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

REGISTER:

Click below to fill out the registration form and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours to confirm availability and discuss payment. We look forward to seeing you here!

Please read our Refund Policy here.

1-Day Permitted Cob

Which workshop are you interested in?

May 31st

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Family + Friends Discount

**NOTE: Each person must still fill out their own registration form to secure a spot**

I am attending with someone and should receive the 5% discount

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BIPOC Discount

We include a 10% discount for BIPOC participants. Check here to receive the discount when registering:

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Liability Waiver

I will be involved in hands-on construction projects during the course of this workshop. I understand that I will be using building materials, operating tools, and participating in physical labor. I understand that there are inherent risks associated with construction. I am aware of these inherent physical risks and take full responsibility for myself regarding these risks. If attending with a minor, I understand that I am fully responsible for the supervision of my minor. I hereby release, hold harmless, and forever discharge Mud Dauber School LLC, and its employees and agents, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of actions whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, property damage, or personal injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or my child or to any property belonging to me or my child while participating in programs on the premises or elsewhere. In the event medical care is required for me or my child, I hereby authorize Mud Dauber School LLC, and its employees and agents, to provide first aid and secure medical assistance for me or my child. I have read and I understand this document, including the release and hold harmless portions of it. I understand that it is binding on myself, my child, our heirs, assigns, and personal representatives. By typing my name below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information, and that I am at least 18 years old, or the parent or guardian of the child specified below.

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Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us here!