Jair Dias sent the following pictures and explanation of the cordwood (cobwood) home he is building in Brazil: “Jair Dias lives in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil .”
The wood he is using for the cordwood infill is Pinus Elliottii (Pine). The cob mortar is a mixture of red soil (sifted) and combined with clay, sand, sawdust, cement and lime. He says it works very well. The bottle bricks in a circular pattern are very colorful. 
Note the metal roof, the large overhangs and the wrap around porch. These help to keep the rain off the cobwood walls and stop any degradation. 
Jair is making an outline (in relief) in the mortar so the wood stands away from the mortar. That makes it easy to clean and sand. I believe Jair means he is tuckpointing the log 3/4″ back from the end of the log. This will allow for a final coat of cob for the wall.
The bottle bricks are very attractive. 
The center does not require a “center post” but rather a modified compression ring that helps maintain the integrity of the roof rafters. 
The walls are 12″ thick and made of pine. 
Lots of windows and entranceways to make the jungle readily available for viewing. I will post more as Jair sends more information. For pictures of the finished home click on https://cordwoodconstruction.org/cordwood-in-brazil-2
Should you wish to learn how to build a cordwood cottage, cabin or home, please visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org While you are there, click on the pictures, read the brief articles, check out the latest workshops and newsletter and if you are interested click on the Online Bookstore to see all the cordwood literature available in print and ebook format.
If you have questions that aren’t answered on the website you can email me at richardflatau@gmail.com
Readers have requested a brief bio, so here goes:
Richard & Becky Flatau built their mortgage-free cordwood home in 1979 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Since then, they have written books, conducted workshops, facilitated the 2005, 2011 and 2015 Cordwood Conferences and provided consultation for cordwood builders. Cordwood Construction: Best Practices DVD, Cordwood Construction Best Practices (print) and Cordwood Conference Papers 2015 are the newest publications available from their online cordwood bookstore. www.cordwoodconstruction.org
For more information on Cordwood Construction, click on the picture or visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org
