Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Cobtastic!

Whew, it's been a busy week!! From a pile of concrete blocks to something that looks alot like a cob oven should! Long story, short we piled the sand on top of the fire brick in the shape of the oven and then bagan the process of layering the cob around it.  Two days passed and despite some minor vandalism (someone carved their intitials in the cob) and the threat of rain we managed to finish the cob portion of the oven and plant some tomatoes...pizza sauce, anyone??  








Tuesday, May 25, 2010

One Week Down and...Progress!

Look at what we've managed to do in just one week!  Well, I'm impressed anyway.  We laid out a base of concrete masonry units (concrete blocks), built up four walls to a height of approximately 3 feet, filled in the space between the walls with concrete waste and sand.  Once leveled, we placed fire bricks on top of the base and then began to construct a mound of sand that will define the interior of the oven and will act as temporary support for the cob dome. 

We're all pretty excited about the progress so far   and like the way the oven is turning out.  We even managed to find time to lend a hand in the One World garden which will be providing the community with fresh veggies in no time!










Wednesday, May 19, 2010

What Is Cob Anyway??

Maybe, you're saying...cob oven, what the heck is a cob oven?  Oven, I understand but cob...what is cob anyway?

Told you you'd get your hands dirty.

Cob has been around for centuries as a building material and is used to build everything from houses to benches; and, yes, ovens.  Cob is a simple, natural material that is easy to work with and dries to a hard, durable finish.  The best thing about cob is that it's just a mixture of clay, straw and sand mixed and packed together by hand.  There are very few tools needed and the ingredients are all natural. 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

It starts to take shape...

Laying a foundation of coral split face
CMU (Concrete Masonry Units) donated
by White Block, a local concrete
products manufacturer.


Hey guys, you almost look like you know
what you're doing!

Use your imaginaton...

It doesn't look like much now but soon this will be the home
of the One World Cob Oven. 
Can you picture it? 


Monday, May 17, 2010

Cob Oven or Bust!

Join the 2nd Year SCC Architectural Technology class as we endeavor to build a cob oven from the ground up in three weeks. From preliminary sketches to hot pizza in just three weeks!

We'll use only donated or found items to construct the oven and use reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible. Perhaps, the best part is we'll be building the oven behind One World Spokane cafe in Spokane; a non-profit community kitchen serving delicious, local and organic food to all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay. Please check out their website at:
http://www.oneworldspokane.com/.

Stay tuned as we gather together as a community of students and build a lasting asset for the community at large.

Stop by and say Hi anytime but be ready to get your hands dirty!