[Cob] the importance of grade...?

[Mike Fliss]

Hi there!

I live in NC, where I've recently got approvals to build a 12x12 cob 
"workshop."  However, I'd love to set up a loft (which, sadly, will have 
to be a retrofit since inspections won't allow it), which means I'd love 
to have just a foot or two of more head height in key areas.  Rather 
than go up, that got me thinking about going down - doing a foot or two 
below grade would more than do for the design I have in mind.  I'm at 
the point in digging the foundation and trenching where I've got to make 
my final decisions about floor height.  But, perhaps obviously, I'm 
concerned about building a covered swimming pool, even with adequate 
trenching and tail drainage.  Does anyone have any thoughts or 
experience with this?

peace,mike

PS: Also, if you're curious, I'm aiming for something like this: 
https://docs.google.com/drawings/edit?id=1Qm9jkYK--LGgSmrYN7nQ41Ux4Rdw5cmMJzVcn2lcQdY&authkey=CLn_usQF&hl=en 
<https://docs.google.com/drawings/edit?id=1Qm9jkYK--LGgSmrYN7nQ41Ux4Rdw5cmMJzVcn2lcQdY&authkey=CLn_usQF&hl=en> 


-- 
Mike Dolan Fliss
aspiringbodhisattva at gmail.com
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