Build the Playhouse You Always Wanted

No.075 — Read old posts on Tinyfarmlab.com
Reading Time 3 minutes

Remember how you built as a child?

The sandcastles at the beach.
The pillow forts in the living room.
The hideouts under the stairs or in the attic.

We are all natural builders.
We just forget.

But intuition can be rediscovered.

You don’t need drafting tools.
No complex software.
Not even much paper.

Cob houses aren’t designed like conventional buildings.
They are shaped like spaceships—
molding themselves around you,
snuggling you into their curves.

They are sets where you choreograph your life.

Start with what you have

Design isn’t about forcing a plan onto the land.
It’s about listening to the site.

Make a list of inventory.
What do you need?
What does the land offer?

Climate. Slope. Sunlight. Views.
These shape the design more than any blueprint.

If you’re an architect, unlearn the rules.
Step outside the lines and conventional standards.

Brainstorm like a child

No pressure.
No rules.

Just ideas.

Write down everything that excites you.
Sketch wildly.
Shape clay models with your hands.

Gather references, but don’t let them box you in.
Pinterest, and Instagram—
use them to spark ideas, not limit them.

Do this with a friend. A partner. Alone.
Let the ideas flow.

Then, take it to the site.

Sit there in silence.
Through all seasons, all-weather, if possible.

Ask, What if?

What if the house had a tunnel entrance?
What if the walls curved like a tree trunk?

Let the land answer some of your questions.

Build small, build smart

Even natural building uses resources.
It is still an extractive process.

Build only as big as you need.
Prioritize craftsmanship over scale.

Many first-time cob builders start too big.

Ambitious plans.
Grand foundations.

This leads to many unfinished projects.

Instead, start with something simple.

Maybe a toolshed.
Maybe just a single cozy room.
Maybe a kitchen so you can cook while camping on-site.

Build in phases.
A single room can grow into a home.
A window today can be a door tomorrow.

Remember, roofs should allow expansion.
Buildings can be connected with covered walkways.

Think long-term.
Design for change.

The house grows as you do.

There is no rush.
You can build as the seasons change.

A home built this way feels different.
It feels alive.
Like it belongs.

Like the playhouse you always wanted.

Love,
Raghav and Ansh

PS: We share daily tips and insights on LinkedIn about cob, natural homes, and sustainable living. Follow us or connect with us to join the conversation!

What you can watch - His cob house is BEAUTIFUL! Earthen home built for under $1k

What you can listen to - The Perfect Home series based on the book Architecture of Happiness

What You Can Read - The Barefoot Architect: A Handbook for Green Building

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