In recent years, the construction industry has faced increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, particularly on energy efficiency and carbon emissions. As part of this movement, new sustainable building materials and techniques are gaining attention. One such material is CobBauge, an innovative solution that combines traditional cob with modern building practices to offer an ultra-low-carbon alternative. At Coach Haus Architecture, we were fortunate to attend an online event hosted by Plymouth University titled Ultra Low-Carbon Building Materials: CobBauge, Natural Insulation and Living Walls. This event, part of the Entrepreneurial Futures project funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, highlighted the importance of materials like CobBauge in helping us meet building regulations and work towards achieving Net Zero.
The Process of Construction with CobBauge
CobBauge is an innovative material that uses a mix of traditional cob (earth, clay, sand, and straw) and a modern, sustainable binder to create a strong, durable, and highly energy-efficient building material. The cob is combined with a specially developed binder to meet modern construction standards while still supporting the low environmental impact that makes cob so desirable in eco-friendly construction.
The process of constructing with CobBauge is like that of traditional cob building, but with the added benefit of enhanced structural integrity and better thermal performance. Here’s a general breakdown of the steps involved:
Preparation of the Foundation: As with any construction, the site must be properly prepared, including ensuring a stable foundation. CobBauge works best on stable ground, with a solid foundation to support the weight of the walls.
Mixing the CobBauge: CobBauge is made by combining local earth, straw, and a modern binder that improves the material's stability and allows it to meet building code standards. This mix is typically made on-site, ensuring minimal transportation emissions and creating a product that is tailored to the local environment.
Wall Construction: The mixture is laid in layers, with each layer carefully
compacted to ensure strength and insulation. CobBauge can be used for both load-bearing walls and non-load-bearing partitions, depending on the design of the building. The material’s thermal mass helps support a stable internal temperature, reducing the need for heating and cooling.
Incorporating Natural Insulation: To enhance the energy efficiency of the building, natural insulation materials like hempcrete, sheep’s wool, or cellulose can be integrated into the wall system. These materials provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation without the environmental drawbacks of conventional insulation materials, such as fiberglass or foam.
Finishing Touches: Once the walls are constructed, they can be finished with natural plasters, which not only provide a beautiful aesthetic but also help regulate humidity and improve indoor air quality. The finished walls are both breathable and durable, ensuring that the building stays comfortable and healthy for its occupants.
Meeting UK Building Regulations
In the UK, building regulations set out the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. As the UK government aims for a Net Zero carbon future by 2050, building regulations have become increasingly stringent, with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and improving energy efficiency.
CobBauge, when combined with natural insulation, offers a promising solution for meeting these requirements. The material’s low-carbon nature, combined with its excellent thermal performance, helps reduce the heating and cooling demands of a building, which directly affects energy consumption. Moreover, CobBauge has a long lifespan, which contributes to the overall sustainability of the building.
To meet building regulations, particularly those related to energy efficiency (such as U-values, airtightness, and thermal bridging), CobBauge walls can be complemented with other sustainable building techniques, such as high-performance glazing, efficient ventilation systems, and renewable energy sources like solar panels. These measures, when implemented together, not only meet but often exceed regulatory requirements.
The Importance of Net Zero in Construction
The concept of Net Zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. In the context of building design and construction, this means creating structures that minimize emissions during both the construction process and their operational lifespan.
The construction sector is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions globally, so moving towards Net Zero is essential. Using low-carbon building materials like CobBauge, along with natural insulation and energy-efficient systems, helps reduce a building’s carbon footprint and contributes to the overall goal of Net Zero. By using local, sustainable materials and ensuring that buildings are designed to be energy-efficient and durable, we can significantly reduce the impact that new constructions have on the environment.
In the UK, the path to Net Zero is being driven by both regulation and demand from consumers who want more sustainable homes and businesses. The UK government has set ambitious targets, and architects and builders are increasingly looking for innovative solutions that help meet these goals.

Conclusion
The CobBauge project, along with the use of natural insulation and living walls, presents an exciting opportunity for the construction industry to embrace low-carbon, sustainable materials that align with both building regulations and the broader Net Zero agenda. By adopting these materials, we can create buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient.
As we continue to push for a more sustainable future, the importance of integrating low-carbon building materials like CobBauge into our designs will only grow. The UK’s building regulations are becoming increasingly focused on sustainability, and with materials like CobBauge, we have the potential to meet these requirements while making significant strides toward a Net Zero future.