In August, the Rudy Lozito Fellows took on a special build project: creating a cob bench at the Verde Partnership Garden (VPG) at Verde Elementary School in North Richmond.
The process unfolded as follows:
- The final layer of lime putty with pigment was added, using a mix of 1 part Type-S lime to ¾ part water and a bag of mineral pigment. After reviewing the results, the fellows returned to apply an additional layer with more pigment to balance the lime ratio.
- The Verde Partnership Garden (VPG) team selected the bench location, choosing an area near the garden beds they wanted to activate as an additional breakout and teaching space.
- The team cleared the site by weeding and removing large plant matter.
- With guidance from Adam, they staked out a crescent shape using rope and measurements to determine the bench’s size.
- A trench was dug and backfilled with drain rock to prevent flooding during the rainy season.
- Guided by the VPG team, the fellows harvested clay soil directly from the ground after conducting soil ribbon tests to confirm clay content.
- The cob mix was prepared at a 2:1 ratio of clay soil to sand, with water added and stomped to blend. About 10% straw was mixed in to strengthen and stabilize the cob as it dried.
- A “slip” mixture of clay and water was made to coat the cinder blocks, providing a surface for the cob to adhere to.
- The first layer of cob was applied. Upon returning the next day, the fellows noticed cracking, which prompted several rounds of remixing, stomping, and applying additional layers. After 3–4 cycles, they determined the most effective mix for their clay soil was closer to a 1:1 ratio of clay soil to sand, with extra water and straw.
- After two weeks of curing, a base coat of lime plaster was applied to seal the cob bench. The plaster consisted of 2–3 parts play sand, 1 part Type-S lime, and water as needed.
The result is a functional and beautiful cob bench, built entirely by hand, that will serve the Verde Partnership Garden community for years to come.