Texas Couple Builds Sustainable Home From Sand and Straw

Arielle Crawford and Simon Gonzalez built their Texas home using natural materials like cob, rarely needing air conditioning due to its sustainable design. Crawford, who previously taught sustainable manufacturing at the Fashion Institute of Technology, experienced an "aha moment" during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the unknown composition of her apartment's walls. This realization prompted her to research natural construction methods and relocate to Texas, where she met Gonzalez. Gonzalez, a former construction worker, transitioned to natural building after discovering the toxicity of conventional materials such as Tyvek, spray foam, and plastic paint during a "cob house" project in 2013. He noted that these materials off-gas and release harmful particulates during construction.

In 2023, Crawford and Gonzalez co-founded Texas Cob, a company specializing in natural building techniques. Their approach utilizes traditional, non-toxic materials including adobe, lime plaster, limewash, and cob. Cob, a mixture of clay, sand, straw, and water, is used to construct homes and other structures. The couple had previously built approximately 10 houses using these methods before embarking on the construction of their own residence. The design of their home emphasizes natural insulation and thermal mass properties inherent in cob construction, significantly reducing the need for artificial cooling. The couple's commitment to sustainable living extends beyond their home, aiming to promote healthier and more environmentally conscious building practices in the region. Their work highlights a growing interest in alternative construction methods that prioritize occupant health and ecological impact. The use of local and renewable materials also contributes to a lower carbon footprint for their projects.