The Cob Oven is Finished! - by Steven Miller, Garden Intern 2015

​As most of you probably already know, the cob oven and roof has been finished! It’s been a long month of planning, preparation, material sourcing and building but it’s done and just in time for winter, too. 

I’m not sure how the cob oven idea came about, but when it did Evan and I wanted to get involved with it. So we planned and made drawings, we even made clay mock-ups. The idea became more of a reality with much discussion and collaboration with Brian.
Evan and I then spent the next what seemed to be eternity sourcing large stones, granite, urbanite, clay and anything else that weighed anything more than what you’d typically prefer to pick up and started working on the foundation.

I slowly and very carefully started doing the dimensions and drawings and when we got the lumber, I even more slowly and carefully started cutting and assembling the structure in the barn.
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Renee helped with every step of the construction and did most of the cutting and drilling. It took us three days to erect the structure and it fell together nicely without much problem. The greatest feeling was seeing it finished and knowing I had designed and created it. 

We discussed months past a project that Evan, Kai and I could get involved in with a lasting contribution for Songaians. It was tossed around between rain gardens, various earthworks, a pond, mainly much to do with water conservation, but all these things couldn’t make it past the vision stage.

From that point we decided that in order for our cob oven to stay a cob oven we needed a protective barrier from the elements and started planning for a roof design. Brian had granted me the lead for the design and build and I nervously accepted. I’ve had some year’s carpentry experience but always as a support apprentice, so this was an experience and a huge growing opportunity for me.

The whole process has allowed me a chance to work independently and also find confidence in myself knowing I can create something in such scale without much direction. ​​​​​