Architecture reporter Amy Peacock explores the resurgence of cob, an ancient building material gaining renewed attention for its sustainable properties, in a comprehensive Dezeen Studio video investigation. The report examines the history, modern applications, and latest innovations in cob construction as part of Dezeen's Building with Cob editorial series.

Cob is an earth-based construction material created by combining clay-rich subsoil with straw and water. Due to the widespread availability of these basic materials, cob buildings can be found across the globe, with examples dating back to prehistoric times. The material gained particular popularity in the United Kingdom during the 13th century, with numerous traditional cob houses still standing in Devon and Cornwall regions.

However, the rise of industrialization in the 1700s marked the decline of cob construction. Builders began favoring more easily mass-produced materials such as brick and cement, leading to cob falling out of mainstream use for centuries. The traditional building method remained largely forgotten until the early 21st century.

The modern revival of cob began in 2005 when the Cobtun house, designed by Associated Architects, won the RIBA Sustainability Award. This recognition brought renewed attention to cob's environmental credentials and sparked interest in its potential as a sustainable building material. The award marked a turning point for the ancient construction method's modern applications.

Cob offers several beneficial properties that make it attractive to contemporary builders focused on sustainability. The material is low-carbon, non-toxic, compostable, and completely reusable. Additionally, cob has been praised for its natural moisture-regulating properties and its complete fireproof characteristics, making it both environmentally friendly and practically advantageous.

In 2017, researcher Steve Goodhew at the University of Plymouth collaborated with Hudson Architects to develop CobBauge, an innovative building system designed to bring cob construction up to modern building standards. The ambitious CobBauge project aims to construct 1,500 cob houses across France and the United Kingdom, demonstrating the material's potential for large-scale modern application.

More recent innovations have focused on making cob more accessible for contemporary construction practices. Researcher Tavs Jorgensen has developed a method for extruding cob into brick shapes, making the material easier to work with and more appealing to modern builders who are accustomed to standardized building components.

Regarding cob's potential to become mainstream again, Peacock emphasizes that the material should not be viewed as a silver bullet solution to all construction challenges. Instead, she suggests that cob can serve as a valuable tool in builders' arsenals as part of a broader movement toward earthen construction methods and sustainable building practices for the future.

The video represents the latest installment in Dezeen Studio's ongoing series exploring design and architecture history. Previous videos in the series have covered topics including art deco architecture and the most iconic mid-century chair designs in history, establishing a comprehensive resource for understanding architectural and design movements.