Build with the Earth
I'm Betty
A.K.A "Cob Betty"
I am a cob and natural building consultant and instructor for earth-based building solutions.
Build houses like our planet depends on it
Why Build with Natural Materials?
Natural Building is more than simply the materials used or not used. It is about transforming space in a way that honors and embraces the intrinsic beauty of the land, amplifying the joy that takes place within.
Natural Vs. Conventional
Every stage of a building's life — beginning, middle, and end — leaves an impact. At each stage, choices either add to or help relieve a growing problem like air and water quality, affordable housing, and our daily physical and mental quality of life.
Beginning:
Sourcing Materials & Building
The materials for a natural building are sourced locally and sustainably wherever possible, and chosen to suit the climate. Conventional materials, by contrast, carry a broad environmental and carbon footprint — clear cutting forests, mining, milling, manufacturing and transportation — before they ever reach their destination.
Middle:
The time you spend in your home.
Natural materials are minimally processed, so there are few opportunities for toxins to be introduced. Locally sourced materials are generally abundant, and therefore less expensive as well as environmentally less demanding. Imagine living debt-free in a comfortable home that's healthy for you AND the planet.
End -The Ultimate demise of your home
Ideally, your family — and many generations to come — will enjoy a home long before it meets its end. But when a building is finally torn down, or lost to fire, flood, or another natural disaster, a natural building releases far fewer toxins into the air, water and soil. Very little requires a landfill.
My Story
From Urgent Beginnings to Master Builder: In 2001, our family, including 3 young children, found ourselves living in a tent on raw land purchased with a modest inheritance. Winter came fast and it was cold. With no previous building skills or enough money to purchase as much as a trailer, I borrowed money for a 6-day workshop with Ianto Evans of Cob Cottage Company, the pioneer who brought cob building to North America. I arrived three days early, took notes until sunset, and learned one transformative truth:
anyone can do this.
Work with Me
1. Book me for a speaking engagement about:
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Fire and earthquake resiliency
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Composting toilets
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Off-grid living
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Nature-based life styles
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Moving into a debt-free life
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Natural building syllabus and curriculum for children of all ages.
2. Hire me for an on-site consultation
3. Sign up to pre-register for my upcoming on-line building course, due to be released in the near future.
