Building with Cob 3: Architect Reply

I know it's been a while since I have posted, but this past week has been rather busy. The good news is that I have heard back from both the City and the local alternative materials architect regarding the project that I have been determined to get approved. So, let me give you a quick breakdown of how the project is moving along.

The City Reply
In our last episode, the city had passed on my initial request to the Planning and Zoning board to see if the project itself could be considered. This is because certain codes were put in place after my covered patio in the back were constructed, and could present a problem.

The final word on this was that the planning and zoning specialist that I had contacted last week needed to consult with some other specialists to determine if this could be possible. In the midst of that conversation, I learned that extending the covered area would be a problem. This means that my covered greenhouse section has become a problem, and I am unable to complete that particular project. No matter, I will come up with another project on that front. It will, in fact, simplify the porch project, and give me more garden area.

Also, the use of cob as a building material was placed on the condition of an engineers report from the State of Utah. As I am unaware of any engineering reports within Utah, I contacted a local alternative materials architect to see if they were aware of any reports of that nature. That is where it was left with the City.

The Architect Reply
Today, I received a reply from the architect, Angela Dean. Here is her reply:

"Hello Jeremy,
It sounds like an interesting project. I know permitting cob can be problematic, and most build without permits. I would wonder though, if you are not using the walls structurally, why the city would have any concerns? I would be happy to chat with you to find out more about the project and input I could give."

So, she pointed out that there shouldn't be an issue with the walls regardless, and that I may not even need a permit. So, there is a way out should I keep running into that particular wall with the city on the particular building material.

So why don't I just keep quiet and build it anyway? Keep in mind my original goal with this project. I wanted to make the process of permitting the constructional use of cob as a building material easier, should anyone else wish to build their own home using cob. Why? Well, the first answer is selfish: I want to eventually build my own home with cob on a future farm that I have been planning for most of my life. The second answer is more altruistic: I want to provide the option to others that may want to build their $200,000 home themselves for about $4,000. And finally, the last answer is also selfish: The farm I want to build is going to house several building styles, all from the Ancient world. But that is a subject for another post.

So, that is the progress so far. I will be talking with the architect again for a quick consultation, and see what we can find out. As I get more information, I will post the progress.

Building with Cob 2: The Reply, and the Next Step

As mentioned in my last reply, I was awaiting a reply from the permit division of the West Valley City council. I have been waiting for the reply with quite a bit of apprehension, as it includes a couple of requirements that I need to address, as opposed to just building with cob. Well, I got a reply, of sorts, directly relating to building with cob.

The reply was fairly simple, indicating that a Utah licensed engineer would need to write up an engineering report regarding the properties of cob, as it is not a recognized construction method by the State of Utah's Building Codes. This means, of course, that I would need to find an engineer that has access to those properties. Where would I find that information?

Well, when you don't know what else to do, check with the professionals! There is an environmentally friendly architecture firm in Salt Lake. AMD Architecture is dedicated to using environmentally friendly building techniques, which have a lot of materials that are not officially adopted by the state building commission. I found them because of their materials links, particularly because it is linked to the Cob Cottage Company. This shows at least a knowledge of the building method, and that's something.

In the mean time, the cost of the permit is being evaluated into the cost of the enclosure, and I'm still waiting to hear from the city building code division regarding the other issue that my home would have in enclosing the porch in cob.

I'll have more information regarding the correspondence that I will be receiving when I do, but at least the door hasn't been closed completely. Stay tuned!

Building with Cob: The Permit Process

My ambitions for using cob as a building material has been taken to the next phase, as I ave begun the process of trying to get a building permit to enclose my back porch. The permit will in and of itself be difficult, as cob is not a very common building material in the United States, let alone in Utah. The process of getting a building material approved can be complex in most cases, so I thought I would document this process should anyone wish to know what process they may need to go though.

I started by contacting the city building commission responsible for building permits. I have two problems: The first is zoning issues with the way the house was originally built (before the city's incorporation), and second is the use of cob itself. The first has been passed on to the planning and zoning commission, so that I can get more information on whether or not the addition can be made.

The second question was answered rather well, based on the fact that I surprised them with the request to build with cob. They were unaware of what cob is, and then stated that all building needs to be completed with approved building materials. Currently, that includes using masonry, stone, wood framing, and steel. The best answer is that they were willing to review information on using cob as a building system, to determine if it could be used as an approved building material.

So, the first step in planning has been done. The second, being the convincing of my wife, has pretty much been completed (that was the miracle in and of itself!), and now the third step has been begun.

Now, the question that begs to be asked is why I just didn't get on with it without looking for a building permit. Well, first, I like to do things legally, and structures over 140 square feet need a building permit. Secondly, it doesn't do any good to build under the counter for anyone else that may want to build with the same material. So, for the interest of anyone else looking to build within the boundaries of West Valley City, this will be quite the telling process.

I should have more information on Monday.