# Earth Architecture Cob Houses Made of Dirt and Straw By lourdes sanchez bayas | Published 2008-11-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-structures-houses-made-of-dirt-and-straw References: [environmentalgraffiti](http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/buildings-dirt-and-straw/3739) & [en.wikipedia.org](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cob_building) These beautiful houses are all made out of dirt, straw and clay. They are [fire-proof](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/verovistas) and very stable. Amazingly, they don't shed dirt all over the place. The name of the style of construction used to build these houses is called "cob." Wikipedia explains: "Cob is a building material consisting of [clay, sand, straw](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clay-house), water, and earth, similar to adobe. Cob is fireproof, resistant to seismic activity, and inexpensive. It can be used to create artistic, sculptural forms and has been revived in recent years by the natural building and sustainability movements... Cob is an [ancient building material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morocco-pavilion), that has possibly been used for construction since prehistoric times." My only question here is whether these structures are hypoallergenic. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 89% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Architecture:** The use of natural building materials like cob offers an opportunity for sustainable architecture practices. - **Revival of Natural Building:** The natural building and sustainability movements are reintroducing ancient building materials like cob into modern day architecture and design. - **Inexpensive Construction:** Cob's affordability offers opportunities for cost-effective construction in developing countries and lower income areas. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Construction:** The cob building material provides a unique opportunity for innovation and disruption in the construction industry. - **Architecture and Design:** The use of cob and other natural building materials presents opportunities for innovation and creativity in architecture and design. - **Sustainable Development:** The use of natural building materials for construction, such as cob, plays an important role in sustainable development efforts and offers opportunities for innovation in this space. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Organically Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lib-earth-house.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [Modular Cob Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heal-home-hmm.md) - [Mud-Plastered Interior Earthy Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urul.md) - [Cave-Like Folded Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wild-house.md) - [Vernacular Clay Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clay-rise.md) - [Corn Cob-Made Wall Cladding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cornwall.md) - [Locally Sourced Angular Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straw-flea-house.md) - [Rammed Earth Community Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chonburi-multipurpose.md)