[Cob] Earthbermed Cob??

[Nicholson, Louise]

Ok, this may be a silly question (or one covered previously... or...)  but
I've been thinking.

I was originally planning on doing a tire building for my home, but the more
I study cob, the more I think that cob might be more within my physical
capabilities (51 years old with arthritis and lung disease)  

However, I'm convinced that an earthbermed home will be much easier to heat
(cutting and splitting firewood is good exercise, but note my above physical
problems...)   

If I use waterproofing on the north side of the building, (like in the PAHS
style underground homes)  what is the opinion of the group of cob holding up
if bermed on the north side?   Since I'm planning a roof water catchment, I
would have it protected from above.  Since I'm planning to use PAHS style
waterproofing around the building, do you think that this would be enough to
keep the building dry enough, even though partly buried in the earth?  Would
Cob stand up to that structurally? Since Cob is made out of earth anyway,
does it tend to regulate the temperature on it's own?  

I'd intended on building the front greenhouse area either from cob or
cob/cordwood, but the more I think about it, the more I think it might be
more feasible to build it all cob/cordwood if I can work out the 'details'.


Thanks for any ideas/opinions that my questions bring forth.

Louise
MO or Bust!