Earth structure
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An earth structure is a building or other structure made largely from soil. Since soil is a widely available material, it has been used in construction since prehistoric times. It may be combined with other materials, compressed and/or baked to add strength.
Old adobe minaret in Kharanagh village, Iran
Earthen hut with thatched roof in Toteil, near Kassala, Sudan
Traditional round mud and thatch houses forming a family compound near Tamale, Ghana
Mud houses in Kandahar, Afghanistan
Cob (material)
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Cob, cobb, or clom is a natural building material made from subsoil, water, fibrous organic material, and sometimes lime. The contents of subsoil vary, and if it does not contain the right mixture, it can be modified with sand or clay. Cob is fireproof, termite proof, resistant to seismic activity, and uses low-cost materials, although it is very labour intensive. It can be used to create artistic and sculptural forms, and its use has been revived in recent years by the natural building and sustainability movements.
Building a wall out of cob
"Cob stitch" repair on old traditional cob cottage in Devon, England
Maison de Jeanne, Sévérac-le-Château. Timber and cob construction
An example of a modern cob building in the Pacific Northwest style. The exterior cob wall is limewashed for an attractive, uniform appearance.