Fact file
Project: Cob barn, Copplestone
Location: Rural
Construction brief: Rebuild collapsing end of a large cob barn
Duration: Eight weeks total
Special considerations: The gable end of this building had become very unstable and was slowly collapsing.
It had to be demolished very carefully, keeping the original cob and stone, and then rebuilt to tie in with the rest of the remaining barn.
Project case notes:
Once the existing section had been dismantled it could be seen that the ground directly beneath it was very soft,
contributing to the movement seen in the wall, so deep foundations were required.
The stone was recycled and used to rebuild the wall and was all laid in a lime mortar.
All of the cob was mixed with a digger next to the building and all 90 - 100 tonnes or so were laid by hand.
This was pared back flat and pressure washed to speed up the weathering process and provide a better match with the existing.
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