Building with Earth: Our Experience Supporting Cob Workshops at Kinship

Architect Laura Marini discusses the history of adobe / cob building to the participants at 'Kinship'

At Pablito Design Studio, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s part of our daily practice. We have had the incredible opportunity to assist architect Laura Marini (of Terra! Build with the Earth) in holding a series of cob building workshops at Kinship, a unique earthship site nestled in the lush forests of Kinglake.

For those unfamiliar, Kinship is more than just a building—it's a living example of what’s possible when architecture harmonizes with the earth. It is the epitome of sustainable living from passive cooling and heating, making use of sustainable materials, solar and water harvesting, and more! Originally design by a prominent architect named Michael Reynolds, it was intended to be an off-grid dwelling in the arid regions of the USA. It wasn't long until they discovered it can be anywhere. Surrounded by towering eucalypts and immersed in a strong community spirit, Kinship is the perfect place to explore the power of natural building techniques like cob.

Architect Laura Marini teaching how to do cob rendering

Getting Our Hands Dirty (In the Best Way)

Assisting in these workshops gave us hands-on experience with cob, an ancient and beautiful material made from clay, sand, straw, and water. It’s sculptural, breathable, and fully recyclable. We helped participants mix cob by foot (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds), shape earthen walls, and understand the structural and aesthetic potential of this humble material.

But beyond cob, the workshops touched on a wide range of alternative and sustainable building techniques—from passive solar design principles to the use of recycled windows and doors, and even how to make use of discarded materials from building sites. The knowledge we gained here deeply complements our design philosophy at Pablito Design Studio.

A strawbale house. This material is an amazing wall insulation.

Why This Matters

So many people come to us asking if it's possible to build a strawbale house, a cob cottage, or to design a home using recycled and natural materials. The answer is always yes—absolutely. We’re not only trained in these techniques, but we’ve also worked with people who’ve dedicated their lives to them.

When you work with us, you’re working with a team that understands both the technical requirements and the soul of sustainable architecture. Whether you're dreaming of a cozy off-grid strawbale retreat, a sculptural cob studio, or a house that breathes with the earth, we can help you design—and build—it.

A happy little family sifting mud as an ingredient for cob at a 'Kinship' workshop by Terra! Build With (The) Earth.

Come Build with Us

If you’re thinking about building with natural materials or want to create a low-impact home that reflects your values, we’d love to hear from you. From design consultation to hands-on construction, we’re here to bring your vision to life—with care, creativity, and a deep respect for the planet.

Let’s build something beautiful—naturally!