Synopses & Reviews
The first comprehensive guide to combining traditional natural materials and modern construction methods.
From adobe to straw bales, traditional building materials are being adapted to meet code-required standards for health and safety in contemporary buildings around the world. Not only are they cost effective and environmentally friendly, but, when used correctly, these natural alternatives match the strength and durability of many mainstream construction materials.
This book examines a broad range of traditional and modern natural construction methods, including straw-bale, light-clay, cob, adobe, rammed earth and pisé, earthbag, earth-sheltered, bamboo, and hybrid systems. It also covers key ecological design principles, as well as current engineering and building code requirements.
Experts on each building system have contributed core chapters that explore the history, development, climatic appropriateness, environmental benefits, performance characteristics, construction techniques, and structural design principles for each method. More than 200 visuals depict both construction processes and completed structures. An extensive resource guide shows where to go for further information, training, and research.
In an increasingly resource-conscious era, alternative construction is truly an idea whose time has come. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or homeowner, this book will help you to combine indigenous building materials with modern construction systems and design standards to create low-impact, high-quality buildings that meet the highest levels of comfort, health, and safety.
Review
"Cheers to John Wiley & Sons and the editors and authors who pulled this impressive book together...if you're intrigued by alternative building and want to see which of the many existing techniques is right for your application, this book makes a great starting point." (Richard Engel, Home Power)
Synopsis
In an increasingly resource-conscious era, alternative construction is truly an idea whose time has come. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or homeowner, this book will help you to combine indigenous building materials with modern construction systems and design standards to create low-impact, high-quality buildings that meet the highest levels of comfort, health, and safety.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 365-374) and index.
About the Author
LYNNE ELIZABETH is a consultant on sustainable community development and ecological design. She edits New Village Journal, the national periodical of Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility.
CASSANDRA ADAMS is an architect and consultant in construction management and ecological design. She has taught architecture, construction, and environmental courses at the University of Washington and the University of California, Berkeley.
Table of Contents
DESIGN PRINCIPLES.
A New Context for Building Codes and Regulation (D. Eisenberg).
Natural Conditioning of Buildings (K. Haggard, et al.).
Structural Properties of Alternative Building Materials (B. King).
SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS.
Adobe (M. Moquin).
Cob (M. Smith).
Rammed Earth (D. Easton).
Modular Contained Earth (J. Kennedy, et al.).
Light Clay (R. Laporte & F. Andresen).
Straw-Bale (K. Lerner, et al.).
Bamboo (D. DeBoer & K. Bareis).
Earthen Finishes (C. Crews, et al.).
APPLICATIONS.
Integrated Systems with Rammed Earth (M. Webster-Mannison).
Straw, Clay, and Carrizo (B. Steen & A. Steen).
Light-Clay House Additions (L. Host-Jablonski).
Variations on Earthbag (K. Hunter, et al.).
The Value of Indigenous Ways (C. Nelson).
Building Technology Transfer (K. Lerner, et al.).
Epilogue: Finding the Soul of Natural Building (T. Bender).
Appendices.
About the Contributors.
Index.