Construction

In Normandy where I live (not renowned for a dry climate), and in many other parts of the world, unbaked earth is used for buildings. A mixture of clay, aggregate and fibres are mixed with water to make a buildable material that is recyclable and very low carbon in the first place. I have just repaired a wall of an old house I am restoring. The difference between cement mortars and 'cob' is the time needed for the material to set up (dry). As my own experiment, I added borax to the mix to deter rot and insect degradation where wood is in contact with the cob. Interestingly, salts can have strong effects on clay rheology: I wonder who is doing research on '21st century cob'? Unfortunately, it may bee seen as too unconventional to have proper science applied to it...