An Earthen Cob Eco House Is a Natural Retreat in the Middle of the City

Escape to a Beautiful Retreat in Portland, Oregon

You wouldn't even be able to tell just by looking at this attractive eco-house in nature, that it's right in a bustling city. One thing Portland is known for is its collection of artistic homes and people, so it's not too surprising to see a home like this in such a vibrant and artistic city. The unique hand-built cob cottage is also next to a pond with a water feature which makes it even more peaceful and meditative. The yard the home is built in is also fenced and gated, and there is the main house on the property which is equally as cute but it's not a cob house, it's a Victorian style home with plenty of charm of its own. The main house is actually where the bathroom is located for guests of the backyard cottage to use at their convenience. The yard is a magical space on its own as well, and guests can make themselves right at home in it. The cob house itself is beautiful with curved lines and a round shape. It was made from all natural materials including straw, earth, water and sand to create compact concrete-like walls. The floor is also made from clay, but it has radiant heating in it to keep the space warm. The cottage was crafted by hand which makes it very special and unique, probably one of a kind too.

Unique Features of the Eco-Cottage

The eco-cottage also features a radial roof with a skylight at the top, much like you'd see in a yurt or a pagoda. The owners of the home built the cob house themselves and used reclaimed and natural materials as much as possible. For example, not only are the walls of the home all natural, but the insulation in the ceiling is also all natural and made from recycled jean fabric. This is a highly insulating fabric that allows for a more even temperature in the home keeping it warm on cold days and cool on hot days. The home also features a Dutch door so the top portion of that can be left open to allow fresh air into the space. There's also air conditioning as well. There's a full sized bed in the eco-cottage with a memory foam mattress topper. The main house has some more Airbnb rental rooms in it, so the cob cottage can share the main living spaces with those guests. There's a living room, a kitchen and the bathroom which all guests can share.

Privacy and Comfort for Guests

The owners of the property are there if you need them, but they will also allow you to have your privacy if that's what you'd prefer. There are also some cats on the property who love the attention if you want to give them some. Although, if you're allergic to cats, it's probably not the best space to rent out. The owners prefer guests not to have food in the cottage but to use the main house as well. Inside, the cottage feels rather spacious and bright with the bed right in the centre. It's a magical space on the inside and outside welcoming guests to have an experience in a building that's a little different from the rest. Cob building is quite an old building practice that's been done for thousands of years. Since earth and dirt are such abundant resources, it makes a lot of sense that people have been using them to build houses and buildings. If you're interested in cob building, staying in a cob cottage like this one will give you a good idea of what they're like. You can even take workshops to learn how to build them or learn through books and online courses.