Natural Builders Cooperative
Photo credit: Findhorn Ecovillage (Scotland)
About Us
The Natural Builders Cooperative coordinates natural building projects (cob, straw bale, rammed earth) with any interested folks across Missouri.
What makes us great?
We are a true cooperative. We train folks interested in natural building, and often work on each other's projects. We would love to talk to you about the benefits of natural building, explore your goals, and help figure out the best approach for your situation.
And our specialty? Backyard Cob Pizza Ovens (made w/ clay from backyard water features - e.g. Bee Pools, Frog Ponds, Bird Baths) - perfect for rustic breads, Indian tandoori & naan ... and homemade wood-fired pizza!
Backyard Cob Pizza Oven
Our Services
cob building
thatched roofs
passive solar (trombe walls & water heaters)
greywater features
wofati construction
underground structures
rammed earth walls
block & brick walls
green living walls and roofs
Pricing & Scheduling
How it works:
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION - for most projects, we would want to visit the site and discuss your plans with you first.
PROJECT SCHEDULE: (1 - 6 months)
Project Design - we design to blend w/ site
Team Assembly - schedule available cooperators
Construction Phase - coordinate all workers, materials, and construction schedule
Restoration - re-grade & re-plant surrounding area
PRICING:
Design: $40 / hr
Project Management: $30 / hr
Labor: $20 / hr
use of local cooperators and onsite materials can reduce costs
Some Examples
old New Zealand cob house
This Cob House - one of "Top 10 Most Influential Cob Builders"
Alliance for Sustainable Communities - Lehigh Valley, PA
Gregory Lehman - Goshen, IN
Flying Hammer Productions - Portland, OR
Uncle Mud - aka Chris McClellan (OH)
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage - best collection of natural buildings in the Midwest
Natural Building Network - global
Natural Builders - Kevin Rowell (CA)
Kleiwerks International & natural builders directory
Cob Hill Natural Building (TX)
permies.com - Paul Wheaton's lab
Jeffrey the Natural Builder (UK)
School of Natural Building (UK)
Down to Earth (Night & Day Farm) - PA
MudStrawLove (NC)
Natural Buildings (NC)
Natural Building Collective - South Africa
Cob Research Institute - got cob IRC 2021 approved!
Auroville Earth Institute - UNESCO Chair of Earth Arch
Habitat for Humanity - world's largest private builder
Yestermorrow Design/Build School (VT) - one of our favorites!
Builders Without Borders - Frank Meyer, Kaki Hunter, Doni Kiffmeyer, Steve Kemble, Matts Myhrmann, Derek Roff, Gary Harvell, and Catherine Wanek.
Building a Cob House - video by "This Cob House"
"Golden Ratio" - interesting video on how to design with proportions common in nature