Sustainable architecture and design Books

Book SynopsisImagine waking up to the gentle noises of the city, and moving through your day with complete confidence that you will get where you need to go quickly and efficiently. Soft City is about ease and comfort, where density has a human dimension, adapting to our ever-changing needs, nurturing relationships, and accommodating the pleasures of everyday life. How do we move from the current reality in most cites--separated uses and lengthy commutes in single-occupancy vehicles that drain human, environmental, and community resources--to support a soft city approach? In Soft City David Sim, partner and creative director at Gehl, shows how this is possible, presenting ideas and graphic examples from around the globe. He draws from his vast design experience to make a case for a dense and diverse built environment at a human scale, which he presents through a series of observations of older and newer places, and a range of simple built phenomena, some traditional and some totally new inventions. Sim shows that increasing density is not enough. The soft city must consider the organization and layout of the built environment for more fluid movement and comfort, a diversity of building types, and thoughtful design to ensure a sustainable urban environment and society. Soft City begins with the big ideas of happiness and quality of life, and then shows how they are tied to the way we live. The heart of the book is highly visual and shows the building blocks for neighborhoods: building types and their organization and orientation; how we can get along as we get around a city; and living with the weather. As every citizen deals with the reality of a changing climate, Soft City explores how the built environment can adapt and respond. Soft City offers inspiration, ideas, and guidance for anyone interested in city building. Sim shows how to make any city more efficient, more livable, and better connected to the environment.

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Book SynopsisAn updated, fully revised, full-colour edition of the definitive manual on building with straw bales, described by Grand Designs as an ''essential guide''. Straw-bale buildings are cost-effective, easy to build and highly energy efficient, enabling you to design and build beautiful, environmentally friendly buildings. Written with non-experts in mind, Barbara Jones uses her years of experience in natural building methods to guide self-builders and architects building with straw as a sustainable material for a diverse range of comfortable and environmentally friendly buildings.Building with Straw Bales takes you through everything you need to know in an easy, accessible way. This includes design principles, the different types of foundations, how to raise and stabilise walls and protect them from the weather, including a detailed analysis of how straw performs with humidity and how straw bale buildings can easily meet building regulation requirements, as well as detailed iTrade ReviewPractical advice and guidance throughout the book, on each key aspect of straw bale construction, makes this the perfect accompaniment to inspiring and then achieving success in your own build project. * Helen Gribbon, engineer and director of Renaissance Associates Ltd *If you have an urge to build a planet-friendly house that will give you great pleasure and satisfaction both to construct and to live in, then this is the book for you. * Cliff Blundell *Barbara Jones is the UK’s most experienced straw bale builder. In this clear and practical book, she shares her years of practical wisdom and offers would-be builders, architects and planners a detailed understanding of how and why to build with straw bales. * Ben Law, woodsman, author and eco-builder *Table of ContentsWhy build with straw bales? Affordable houses Low environmental impact Building techniques explained Designing with the bale in mind Cement free foundation Keeping the straw dry Wall raising Windows and doors Compression Carpentry for load-bearing buildings The roof Services, fixings and alcoves Lime and clay plasters Planning and permission Building regulations

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive practical manual for professionals and self-builders, this innovative book explains the many benefits of building with hempcrete. Hempcrete is a building material with excellent, environmentally friendly properties. It's made from lime and hemp shivs (a waste product from hemp fibre growing) and can be used for walks, floor and roof insulation. Hempcrete is breathable, absorbing and emitting moisture; this helps regulate internal humidity, avoiding trapped moisture and mould growth, and creating healthier buildings. It provides excellent acoustic and thermal insulation, and it is lightweight, which reduces construction costs. Whether you're working on a new build or are planning a renovation, The Hempcrete Book tells you everything you need to know to get started with hempcrete. It describes how to source and mix it, and provides a detailed account of construction techniques, highlighting potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. With fully illustrated desTrade ReviewThis book provides clear guidance through its photos, text and sketches on all aspects of building with this ‘deep green’ material and takes our early work forward into the mainstream. It is a must-have for anyone planning to build with hempcrete, whether in renovation or new build projects. -- Ralph Carpenter and Richard Scales, MODECE ARCHITECTS, SuffolkThe book contains lots of good advice and general good building practice... I would recommend this book to anyone working in the field of sustainable building. -- Ian PritchettAny architect, designer, owner or builder thinking of building in hemp or using lime in their build should obtain this book before they start. -- Neil Garrett * The Owner Builder *Eco-friendly and sustainability issues are now a key element in the design process and the authors of this publication proudly affirm that Hempcrete buildings can provide affordable, healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable accommodation. -- Dvid Phythian * Building Engineer *They have a great knowledge of their favourite product, which they willingly share here with those eager to embrace this relatively new wonder product whose origins date to ancient times. -- Self Build & Design MagazineTruly comprehensive and enormously helpful. I wish we’d had this guide when building our Hempcrete homes in Swindon! -- Kevin McCloudIf you are interested in learning more about using living materials for construction and how to use hempcrete for your upcoming projects or tests, I encourage you to get this book today. It is by far, the most detailed version on the market and completely easy to understand. -- Mabelle Plasencia * INmatteria.com *Table of ContentsForeword by Professor Tom Woolley Introduction Part One: Principles of building with hempcrete History and uses of hemp Hemp in construction An introduction to lime Key concepts in sustainable building Getting the basics right Variations on the hemp–lime mix Performance of hempcrete in a building Tools and equipment Health and safety Planning the build Focus on self-build 1: Agan Chy Part Two: Hempcrete construction The hempcrete wall: an overview Foundations and plinth The structural frame Shuttering Mixing hempcrete Placing hempcrete Floors, ceilings and roof insulation Finishes for hempcrete Practicalities on a hempcrete build Restoration and retrofit Focus on self-build 2: Hemp Lime House Part Three: Designing a hempcrete building Design fundamentals Indicative detailing Focus on self-build 3: Bridge End Cottage A look to the future Resources

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Book SynopsisAn in-depth guide with step-by-step instructions on how to select, mix and apply lime- and clay- based plasters, renders, paints and washes.With the increasing awareness of eco-building techniques alongside the desire to make our homes healthier, the historical benefits of using natural renders and paints are being rediscovered. Clay and Lime Renders, Plasters and Paints is a detailed guide to the selection, mixing and application of lime- and clay-based plasters, renders, paints and washes.It provides step-by-step instructions for applying lime- and clay-based plasters, renders and paints, and information on the benefits of natural finishes for personal health, the environment, and for buildings. The book draws on traditional methods & materials for using lime & clay finishes on new and historic buildings, and also includes a comprehensive and up-to-date online resource guide to suppliers, practitioners and courses. Easy to follow DIY projects guide the reader through alTrade ReviewThis highly informative and sumptuous book shows how the threat of climate change is also an opportunity to make buildings more beautiful. * Sunand Prasad, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) *Adam and Katy are rethinking how we build, and coming up with something beautiful. * John Vidal, The Guardian *A splendid book. A real addition to what's out there and very complementary to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings' new technical manual on Old Building Repairs. * Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs *Table of ContentsIntroduction Buildings and natural Preparations Lime-based plasters and renders Earth-based plasters and renders Lime- and Earth-based paints and washes Finishes from around the world Resources and suppliers Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe most exciting new buildings today are almost all environmentally aware, sustainable, and conceived to consume less energy than ever before. Discover the best examples of green projects from the Architecture Now! series in this handy Bibliotheca Universalis edition. Celebrated architects like Frank Gehry and Norman Foster are presented alongside young up-and-coming creators from all over the world. Filled with plans, renderings of proposed projects, and stunning architectural photography, this is nothing short of an encyclopedia of eco-design. From a water treatment facility to an art museum, luxurious holiday homes to commercial structures, these buildings all make a bold environmental statement. Being “green” means being aware of the responsibility in the construction and use of modern buildings; some solutions are as old as the history of architecture, while others are born of cutting-edge technologies. Explore these approaches and many more in this groundbreaking collection showcasing 100 of the world’s most innovative eco-friendly buildings.Trade Review“If you get excited about architecture, you will most definitely find much to excite and delight you here.” * Herald Sun *

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Book SynopsisA deeply informed, radically hopeful manifesto for regenerating our economies and societies through the power of nature and natural capital.

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Book SynopsisRecognising that buildings are a major contributor to global warming and the critical role of embodied versus operational carbon, the book focuses on houses built from materials that either sequester carbon (plants), use materials with very low embodied carbon (earth and stone) or reuse substantial amounts of existing materials. Organised by those materials (wood, bamboo, straw, hemp, cork, earth, brick, stone and re-use), and incorporating life cycle diagrams demonstrating how the raw material is processed into building components, the book shows how the unique properties of each material can transform the ways architects conceive the sections of houses. The house was selected as the vehicle for these investigations due to its scale, its role as a site of architectural experimentation, and its ubiquity. Building on the techniques of the Manual of Section, the book is comprised of newly generated cross-sectional drawings of 55 recent, modestly sized houses from around the world, making legible the tectonics and materials used in their construction. Each house is also shown through exploded axonometric, construction photographs and colour photographs of the exterior and interior. Introductory essays set up the importance of embodied carbon, the role of vernacular plant-based construction and the problems of contemporary house construction. Drawing connections between the architecture of the house, environmental systems and material economies, the book seeks to change how we build now and for the future.Trade Review"Published by ORO Editions, the book allows architects to rethink architectural cross-sections while using the raw materials of cross-sections that represent the lifeblood of buildings in their design." - World Architecture Community

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Book SynopsisBiophilic design brings positive experiences of nature into the built environment — whether in a domestic, work, leisure, healthcare, education or retail setting. Written by proponents, who are also leading expert practitioners, this book is the first design guide to biophilia for architects and interior designers. By raising awareness of biophilic design as a strategy to support psychological and physiological wellbeing, Nature Inside illustrates how it can be implemented, across a range of international case studies. It offers a plethora of practical insight and real-world solutions for all designers. Starting with the principles and processes of biophilic design in practice, it showcases a variety of interior spaces — residential, retail, workplace, hospitality, education, healthcare and manufacturing. The final chapter looks ‘outside the walls’, by providing a case study at the campus and city scale, concluding with an essential practical toolkit. Featured projects include: The London home of Kelly Hoppen MBE Seesaw Coffee, Beijing, by nota architects The Assemblage, New York, by Meyer Davis Studio Central Library, Calgary, Canada, by Snøhetta Bank of America Tower, New York, by COOKFOX TRi Restaurant, Hong Kong, by IBUKU Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword Introduction What is biophilia, and what does it mean for buildings and spaces? PART 1 Chapter 1 The scientific and business case for biophilic design Chapter 2 Biophilic design in practice: principles, processes and outcomes Chapter 3 At the small scale: fixtures, fittings, fabrics and finishes PART 2 Case studies, illustrating different aspects of the biophilic design process, and outcomes including, where available, post-occupancy data Chapter 4 In the home: residential design Chapter 5 In school: learning environments Chapter 6 In the store: retail experience Chapter 7 In the office: workplace experience Chapter 8 In the hotel: hospitality experience Chapter 9 In the hospital: healing environments Chapter 10 In the factory: manufacturing facilities Chapter 11 In the community: civic spaces and transit hubs Chapter 12 Outside the walls: biophilic design at campus, neighbourhood and city scale APPENDICES Toolkit Endnotes Glossary Index Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWhen searching for genuinely sustainable building design and technology - designs that go beyond conventional sustainability to be truly restorative - we often find that nature got there first. Over 3.5 billion years of natural history have evolved innumerable examples of forms, systems, and processes that can be applied to modern green design.Aimed at architects, urban designers and product designers, this new edition of Biomimicry in Architecture looks to the natural world to achieve radical increases in resource efficiency. Packed with case studies predicting future trends, this edition also contains updated and expanded chapters on structures, materials, waste, water, thermal control and energy, as well as an all-new chapter on light. An amazing sourcebook of extraordinary design solutions, Biomimicry in Architecture is a must-read for anyone preparing for the challenges of building a sustainable and restorative future.Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: How could we build more efficient structures?Chapter 2: How will we manufacture materials?Chapter 3: How will we produce our energy?Chapter 4: How will we get fresh water?Chapter 5: How will we create zero-waste systems?Chapter 6: How will we control our thermal environment?Chapter 7: How will we gather and distribute light? Synthesis

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Book SynopsisArchitects today incorporate principles of sustainable design as a matter of necessity. But the challenge of unifying climate control and building functionality, of securing a managed environment within a natural setting--and combating the harsh forces of wind, water, and sun--presented a new set of obstacles to architects and engineers in the mid-Trade Review"Design with Climate has had an extremely important impact on the practice of sustainable design, and is perhaps even more relevant today than when it was when originally published in 1963. In many ways the book was ahead of its time."—Peter Anderson, author of Prefab Prototypes: Site-specific Design for Offsite Construction"Design with Climate is a seminal work of continued relevance, and is especially needed as architects relearn the basics of climatic design in order to right the causes and effects of global warming."—Bruce Haglund, University of IdahoTable of ContentsPART 1. CLIMATIC APPROACH I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 The Earth and Life - Animal Life and Shelter - Human Life and Shelter - Adaptation of Shelter to Climate - Similarities Around the World - Community Layouts and Climate - Regional Character - Climate Balance - To Find a Method - Summary II. THE BIOCLIMATIC APPROACH 14 The Effects of Climate on Man - Shelter and Environment - The Comfort Zone - Relation of Climatic Elements to Comfort - The Bioclimatic Chart III. REGIONAL EVALUATION 24 Climatic Evaluation by Region - Bioclimatic Needs by Region IV. CLIMATIC ELEMENTS 32 Factors in Weather - Radiant Heat Transfer PART 2. INTERPRETATION IN ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES V. SITE SELECTION 44 Microclimatic Effects - Effect of Topography - Natural and Built-Up Surroundings - Criteria for Site Selection VI. SOL-AIR ORIENTATION 53 Bound to the Sun - Recent Theories - Sol-Air Approach - Regional Adaptation - Regional Application VII. SOLAR CONTROL 63 The Structure - Transmission of Radiation and Heat - Economy of Shading Devices - Design of Shading Devices - Shading Effects of Trees and Vegetation - Obstruction of Surroundings - Summary of Method VII. ENVIRONMENT AND BUILDING FORMS 84 Morphology in Nature - Impact of External Forces on Buildings - Criterion of Optimum Shape - Conclusions for Basic Forms of Houses - Regional Effects on Large Building Shapes - Morphology of Town Structures IX. WIND EFFECTS AND AIR FLOW PATTERNS 94 Wind and Architecture - Wind Analysis - Local Factors in Wind Orientation - Windbreaks - Flow Patterns Inside Buildings - Summary of Procedures in Wind Control X. THERMAL EFFECTS OF MATERIALS 113 Opaque Materials and Indoor Temperature Balance - Heat Entry on the Surface - Moisture Effects - Deterioration of Materials - Heat Transmission of Materials - Resistance Insulation, or Heat Capacity Effects - Time Lag and Calculation Methods - Balanced Insulation - Summary PART 3. APPLICATION XI. HELIOTHERMIC PLANNING 126 Comfort Criteria - Calculating Thermal Behavior of Structures - Method of Approach for Heliothermic Planning - Thermal Behaviors - Heat Analysis of Structures in Temperate Zone, Cool Area, Hot-Arid Area, Hot-Humd Area - Summation of Regional Conclusions XII. EXAMPLES IN FOUR REGIONS 153 Architectural Application to Community Layouts APPENDIX A. Technical Notes 178 APPENDIX B. The Thermoheliodon 180 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES 186 INDEX 189

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive how-to manual of Polyface Farm’s signature designs--with tips, tricks, and a half century of lessons learned through trial and error Have you wondered how to build the Polyface broiler shelter, or the dolly to move it, or an Eggmobile, Gobbledygo or Shademobile? For folks getting started, folks adding enterprises, or folks wanting a cheaper bootstrap way to build portable livestock infrastructure, Polyface Designs has all the diagrams and do-it-yourself building specifications. Joel Salatin wrote the text and Polyface former apprentice and engineer extraordinaire Chris Slattery did the drawings. Ultimately practical, the book includes how to build a corral, a home-made head gate and even how to select the right axle for your project. Square footage requirements for the deep bedding hay shed and area advice for pig pastures make this the definitive repository for a lifetime of Polyface experimentation. A massive volume, its 568 pages are in full color and beautiful enough to be a coffee table book even though you’ll use it in your shop. Don’t let the cover price scare you; one building tip can more than save the price of the book.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chickens Broiler Shelter Shelter Dolly Egg Mobile Millennium Feathernet Mini-Brooder Cows Shademobile Cattle Working SHute Homemade Head Gate Winter Hay Feeding Pigs Basics Pasture Infrastructure Handling Rabbits Raken Harepen Turkeys Gobbledygo Winter Hoop Houses Basic Layout Bulk Feeder Platform Standing Nest Boxes Waterer Cover Mobile Mezzanine Materials Handling Bulk Feed Buggy Hay Wagon Chassis Log Forwarding Cart Appendix Poultry Watering Shade Cloth Tips Fencing Basics How to Cut Notches Templates

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Book SynopsisThe ancient method of cob building uses a simple mixture of clay sub-soil, aggregate, straw and water to create solid structural walls built without shuttering or forms, onto a stone plinth. It is now undergoing a renaissance as an 'eco-friendly' building material because of its amazing 'green' credentials. 'Building with Cob' shows how to apply this ancient technique in a wide variety of contemporary situations, covering everything from design and siting, mixing, building walls, fireplaces, ovens and floors, lime and other natural finishes, and gaining planning permission and building regulation approval. It also explains in detail how to sensitively restore an old cob structure. This book is a step-by-step guide, lavishly illustrated with over 300 colour photos and 85 diagrams.Table of ContentsHistory of Earth Building around the World Design and Siting Soils: Identifying and Testing How to Make a Cob Mix Foundations Building with Cob Roofs Insulation Natural Finishes Earthen Floors Fire and Cob Restoration Planning and Building Regulations Conclusion Resources and Suppliers

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Book Synopsis‘There may be no single climate solution that has a greater breadth of benefits than mini-forests…[and] can be done by everyone everywhere.’ Paul Hawken, from the foreword Are you ready to join the movement to restore biodiversity in our cities and towns by transforming degraded and underused urban land into forests that can help heal the planet? In Mini-Forest Revolution, Hannah Lewis presents the Miyawaki Method, a unique approach to reforestation devised by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Lewis explains how tiny forests, as small as six parking spaces, can grow quickly and offer rich biodiversity and environmental benefits – much more so than forests planted by conventional methods. Today, the Miyawaki Method is witnessing a worldwide surge in popularity. Lewis shares stories of mini-forests that have sprung up across the globe and the people who are planting them – from a ‘Forest of Thanks’ in East London, to a mini-forest along the concrete alley of the Beirut River in Lebanon, to a backyard project planted by tiny-forest champion Shubhendu Sharma in India. Mini-Forest Revolution offers a revolutionary approach to planting trees and a truly accessible solution to the climate crisis that can be implemented by communities, classrooms, cities, companies, clubs, and families everywhere.Trade Review"My late friend and colleague, Professor Akira Miyawaki, wanted nothing more than to repair the forests of the world. He wanted trees in the ground, as do I. This book would make him happy."—Diana Beresford-Kroeger, author of To Speak for the Trees"We cannot solve problems by succumbing to fear and anger, and yet so much of the climate conversation is powered by the fearful narrative of a dying planet. In Mini-Forest Revolution, Hannah Lewis offers a different story—one that is authentic, honest, and powered by love. Her writing provides the inspiration, motivation, and recipe for working with nature rather than against it; for gathering our courage and creating the world we imagine."—Shubhendu Sharma, founder and director of Afforestt"Imagine a world where every modest scrap of worn-out dirt or asphalt—think tennis-court-size—can become a cooling, moisture-circulating, air-cleansing, wildlife-nurturing forest within a few years. Mini-Forest Revolution shows how ordinary citizens can embrace this trowel-ready solution, and are doing so even under the harshest, sun-bleached conditions."—Judith D. Schwartz, author of The Reindeer Chronicles

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Book SynopsisKAAN Architecten, founded and led by Kees Kaan, Vincent Panhuysen, and Dikkie Scipio, promote Dutch building traditions of sustainability, welfare, pragmatism, and quality through a collaborative and analytical design approach. The Rotterdam-based firm, who run satellite offices in Paris and São Paulo, gained wide renown through complex public commissions that surpass traditional notions of typology and method. Their range includes government offices, museums, urban development projects, as well as buildings for health care, education, and research. This first substantial monograph on KAAN Architecten offers a comprehensive survey of their most important projects to date. The 15 buildings documented in the book are presented as different characters with varying physiognomies, but which belong to the same family and feature similar traits—hence the title of the book. Lavishly illustrated with photographs, visualisations, plans and drawings, and through essays by French architect, critic, and scholar of architectural history Pierre Chabard and by Dutch architectural critic, writer, and editor Ruud Brouwers, Portraits explores KAAN Architecten’s work using different lenses. By mapping out their complex genealogy, the book also highlights that the firm’s designs are not single autonomous entities but rather parts of a shared vision.

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Book SynopsisPlanting trees is not enough to reduce carbon. Counterintuitive as it may seem, we must also cut them down and start using wood as a construction material. With the built environment responsible for 40 per cent of the world's carbon emissions, Brannen's message is clear: we must change how we build.

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Book Synopsis The essential guide to hempcrete - a strong, versatile, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient natural insulating material Hempcrete is a versatile, energy-efficient natural insulation material, useful for walls, roofs and floors. Made from the inner stem of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-based binder, it is a very strong, lightweight and breathable alternative to manufactured insulations. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, renewable method, from procurement to finishing. Going well beyond the scope of many natural building books, this indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to hempcrete, packed with all the information you need to determine whether it''s the right choice for your project. It covers: Material specifications, testing and building code references and climate data Detail drawings for design reference Tool lists, and complete stTable of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rationale Chapter 3: Appropriate Use Chapter 4: Building Science Notes Chapter 5: Material Specifications Chapter 6: Design Options for Hempcrete Chapter 7: Design Notes for Hempcrete Chapter 8: Hempcrete Mixes Chapter 9: Construction Procedure Chapter 10: Finishes Chapter 11: Maintenance and Renovations Chapter 12: Building Codes and Permits Chapter 13: Experiments and Future Developments Chapter 14: Tools Chapter 15: Conclusion Resources Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisNew York City is filled to the brim with beautiful, unique green spaces-if you know where to look. From the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in the West Village to the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm in the Navy Yard, the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum in Queens to New York's Chinese Scholar's Garden in Staten Island, celebrated photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo takes readers on a tour of the most exceptional gardens and parks across the five boroughs in this lushly illustrated guidebook. Through Ngoc's beautifully photographed and well-researched profiles, readers will not only discover parks and gardens they never knew existed, but they will also learn the fascinating history of green spaces in New York and about the innovative new projects being undertaken to ensure we all can enjoy them for years to come. Head up to the nearly century-old Met Cloisters to discover a garden filled with plants depicted in the museum's medieval art collection, and an herb garden planted exclusively with species known in the Middle Ages. Then travel to Brooklyn to visit the Gil Hodges Community Garden, a tiny oasis along the Gowanus Canal and a critical piece of the city's green infrastructure: storm water is absorbed, filtered, and diverted to the garden, relieving pressure on the sewer system and thereby protecting the local waterways from contamination. The book features wildlife preserves and community vegetable patches, sprawling old-growth forests and vest-pocket parks of less than five thousand square feet. Each one tells a story, and offers a wonderful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle.Trade Review“A true homage to New York, and an invitation to form an intimate relationship with its parks, brilliantly captured here from the Breugelesque winter scene in Prospect Park, to the jewel-like planting in the gardens of the Cloisters. There were so many places I didn’t know about, and cannot wait to explore.” —Miranda Brooks, landscape architect and contributing editor at Vogue“A true homage to New York, and an invitation to form an intimate relationship with its parks, which are brilliantly captured here, from the Breugelesque winter scene in Prospect Park to the jewel-like plantings in the gardens of the Cloisters. There were so many places I didn’t know about and cannot wait to explore.”—Miranda Brooks, landscape architect and contributing editor at Vogue“Visitors to New York City might see mainly concrete, glass, and asphalt, but ask any longtime resident and they’ll enthusiastically share their favorite (and absolutely necessary) green escapes, from pocket parks tucked between pencil towers to outlying spaces that verge on the nearly wild. Ngoc brings a New Yorker’s insider knowledge and an artist’s eye to the many slices of nature this great city has to offer.”—Stephen Orr, editor in chief, Better Homes Gardens“Visitors to New York City might see mainly concrete, glass, and asphalt, but ask any longtime resident and they’ll enthusiastically share their favorite (and absolutely necessary) green escapes, from pocket parks tucked between pencil towers to outlying spaces that verge on the nearly wild. Ngoc brings a New Yorker’s insider knowledge and an artist’s eye to reveal the many slices of nature this great city has to offer.”—Stephen Orr, editor in chief, Better Homes Gardens“In this gorgeous book, Ngoc Minh Ngo celebrates public gardens in New York City, in all five boroughs and all four seasons. Poring over the photographs and reading the history of each garden, I wanted to drop everything and race to see them up close—the familiar spaces I’ve loved for decades and especially the hidden gems. This is an essential guide for lifelong New Yorkers and visitors alike.” —Frances Palmer, potter, gardener, and author of Life in the Studio“In this gorgeous book, Ngoc Minh Ngo celebrates public gardens in New York City, in all five boroughs and all four seasons. Poring over the photographs and reading the history of each garden, I wanted to drop everything and race to see them up close—the familiar spaces I’ve loved for decades and especially the hidden gems. This is an essential guide for lifelong New Yorkers and visitors alike.”—Frances Palmer, potter, gardener, and author of Life in the Studio“For almost four centuries, the once vast unspoiled natural paradise of New York City was subjected to the uprooting and paving over of forests, meadows, and shorelines. The last four decades, however, provided an antidote, with ruined parks restored and thousands of acres of new parks created. New York Green documents in glorious, vivid images the near-miraculous transformation of NYC back to a city of startling natural beauty, from tiny churchyards to vast natural areas and glorious parks built atop post-industrial ruins.”—Adrian Benepe, president of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and former New York City parks commissioner“Once a vast, unspoiled natural paradise, New York City’s last four centuries were marked by uprooting and paving over of forests, meadows, and shorelines. The last four decades, however, provided an antidote, with ruined parks restored and thousands of acres of new parks created. New York Green documents in glorious, vivid images the near-miraculous transformation of NYC back to a city of startling natural beauty, from tiny churchyards to vast natural areas and glorious parks built atop post-industrial ruins.” —Adrian Benepe, president of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and former NYC Parks Commissioner

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Book SynopsisCities are under increased pressure to be resilient and resistant to the effects of climate change and rapid urbanisation. However, this idea has still not been fully integrated in to practice. This book presents a practical approach to masterplanning the city and its areas (existing and new) as urban environments for the 21st century, addressing the design of cities as complex adaptive systems.Table of ContentsPart I: Towards an Ecology of Urban Form 1. Design and Change: Reconciling the Paradox 2. From System Ecology to Urban Morphology Part II: Masterplanning for Change: The Design Approach 3. Towards a Design Agenda 4. The Design Approach 5. Towards the Resilient City

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Book SynopsisBuild your own passive solar greenhouse for year-round food production in any climateTable of Contents Introduction Section I: The Big Picture 1. What Is a Solar Greenhouse? 2. Growing Indoors: History and Future Trends 3. Planning for the Greenhouse Section II: Designing and Building a Solar Greenhouse 4. Siting and Orientation 5. Controlling Light and Heat Gain: Glazing 6. Controlling Heat Loss: Insulation 7. Ventilation 8. Greenhouse Geometries 9. Greenhouse Construction Basics 10. Attached Greenhouses 11. Earth-sheltered Greenhouses Section III: Heating and Cooling Methods 12. Passive Thermal Mass 13. Using the Earth for Heat Storage 14. Solar Hot Water 15. Rocket Mass Stoves and Compost Heaters 16. Powering the Greenhouse Section IV: Growing in the Greenhouse 17. Creating the Greenhouse Environment 18. Aquaponics and Hydroponics Appendix 1: Temperature Ranges of Common Greenhouse Crops Appendix 2: Optimizing Glazing Angles Appendix 3: Supplemental Lighting Index About the Authors A Note About the Publisher

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Book SynopsisThe Environmental Design Pocketbook 2nd ed places the information you need for sustainable, low energy building design at your fingertips. Packed with diagrams, tools and tips, it cuts through the complex mass of technical data and legislation that faces the designer, and distils all the key guidance into a single reference that is quick, easy to use and points to the facts, figures and performance data that are most important. This 2nd edition is now fully up-to-date with the latest Building Regulations Part L and F legislation (England and Wales), RIBA Plan of Work 2013, new information on the Green Deal and Zero Carbon and contains revised references and further reading sections throughout. The new edition also continues to provide: - Guidance on all core sustainability topics - Handy tools, allowing quick design estimates - Design guidance, technology, building science and best practice Whether used in the classroom, office or on-site, the book guides the designer through the entire process; from the fundamentals to the building details. From future-proofing for a changing climate to rainwater harvesting, retrofit, and zero-carbon technologies - the Pocketbook has got it covered.Table of Contents1. CO2, Climate Change Mitigation and the Building Industry 2. Design Strategies and Adaptations for a Changing Climate 3. Environmental Site Planning 4. Urban Greenery and Biodiversity 5. Water and Flooding 6. The Internal Environment: Space, Warmth, Light and Air 7. The Building Fabric 8. Retrofit of Existing Housing Stock 9. Key Details 10. Energy Supply and Demand 11. Zero Carbon Buildings 12. Low and Zero Carbon Technologies and Renewables

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Book SynopsisThe devil is in the details-the science and art of designing and building durable, efficient, straw bale buildings Straw bale buildings promise superior insulation and flexibility across a range of design aesthetics, while using a typically local and abundant low-embodied energy material that sequesters carbon-an important part of mitigating climate change. However, some early straw bale designs and construction methods resulted in buildings that failed to meet design goals for energy efficiency and durability. This led to improved building practices and a deeper understanding of the building science underlying this building system. Distilling two decades of site-built straw bale design and construction experience, Straw Bale Building Details is an illustrated guide that covers: Principles and process of straw bale design and building, options, and alternatives Building science of straw bale wall systems Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsBook ContributorsForeword by David Arkin, AIA–CASBA Director Introduction 1. Why Build with Straw Bales?2. Designing with Straw Bales3. Structural Design Considerations4. Electrical, Plumbing, Ducts, and Flues in Straw Bale Walls5. Stacking Straw Bale Walls 6. Plastering Straw Bale Walls7. Straw Bale Construction and Building Codes: 2018 IRC Appendix S — Strawbale Construction Appendix 1: Fire and Straw Bale Walls Appendix 2: Managing Successful and Effective Work Parties Glossary Principal Contributor Biographies IndexAbout New Society Publishers

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Book SynopsisThe buildings of the past were constructed with readily available and local materials, such as stone, wood, or handmade bricks. Architects in the modern era, however, can choose from an ever increasing number of new materials, each one allowing for different advances in design. And yet the traditional materials have never been entirely supplanted; they still form an important part of the architectural range and are still used by architects the world over. The humble brick, for example, has remained a constant throughout the history of architecture, as has timber with its flexibility and warm tones. But today such elements can be used in conjunction with newer materials to highlight their natural beauty in many different ways: creating a stunning metal facade, wrapping a building with a cool, sleek stone finish, designing a wall with an eye-catching interesting texture, or adding depth or warmth to an internal design. Traditional metals are also finding new use, being employed to coat a structure in a light metal skin that reflects the sunlight, or embedded onto a building to add interest and texture. This book journeys through a curated selection of stunning examples from across the world, showcasing how each material is creatively used over a diverse range of building types and styles, and illustrating the myriad possibilities and forms available to the modern architect who chooses to rework these age-old materials into a brand-new decorative yet functional form.

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Book SynopsisExpanding Architecture presents a new generation of creative design carried out in the service of the greater public and the greater good. Questioning how design can improve daily lives, editors Bryan Bell and Katie Wakeford map an emerging geography of architectural activism – or ‘public-interest architecture’ – that might function akin to public interest law or medicine by expanding architecture’s all-too-often elite client base. With 30 essays by practising architects and designers, urban and community planners, historians, landscape architects, environmental designers and members of other fields, this volume is full of work from around the world that illustrates the ways in which design can address issues of social justice, allow individuals and communities to plan and improve their own lives and serve a much larger percentage of the population than it has in the past. This new inclusionary practice must define new services and new processes, and these are illuminated in the generously illustrated texts as well. Examining evolving notions of socially conscious practice, this book serves as an essential guide for designers who are willing to take on the social, economic and environmental challenges we face today.

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Book SynopsisRegenerative design and architecture What will it take to restore balance to our world, repair past injustices, and support future generations' survival? Reaching beyond 'sustainability', 'regenerative' practice is increasingly named as a new goal, but what does this emerging term really mean? And which key mindset shifts might enable truly regenerative transformation? Looking deeply into the web of life that created and supports us, and drawing inspiration from diverse cultural traditions and perspectives, spirited thinkers Michael Pawlyn and Sarah Ichioka propose a bold set of regenerative principles with potential to transform how we design, make and manage our buildings, infrastructure and communities. Whether you're a built environment professional or client, an activist or a policymaker, Flourish offers an urgent invitation to inhabit a new array of possibilities, through which we can build a thriving future, together.

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Book SynopsisA bold and unprecedented look at a cutting-edge movement in architectureToward a Living Architecture? is the first book-length critique of the emerging field of generative architecture and its nexus with computation, biology, and complexity. Starting from the assertion that we should take generative architects’ rhetoric of biology and sustainability seriously, Christina Cogdell examines their claims from the standpoints of the sciences they draw on—complex systems theory, evolutionary theory, genetics and epigenetics, and synthetic biology. She reveals significant disconnects while also pointing to approaches and projects with significant potential for further development. Arguing that architectural design today often only masquerades as sustainable, Cogdell demonstrates how the language of some cutting-edge practitioners and educators can mislead students and clients into thinking they are getting something biological when they are not. In a narrative that moves from the computational toward the biological and from current practice to visionary futures, Cogdell uses life-cycle analysis as a baseline for parsing the material, energetic, and pollution differences between different digital and biological design and construction approaches. Contrary to green-tech sustainability advocates, she questions whether quartzite-based silicon technologies and their reliance on rare earth metals as currently designed are sustainable for much longer, challenging common projections of a computationally designed and manufactured future. Moreover, in critiquing contemporary architecture and science from a historical vantage point, she reveals the similarities between eugenic design of the 1930s and the aims of some generative architects and engineering synthetic biologists today. Each chapter addresses a current architectural school or program while also exploring a distinct aspect of the corresponding scientific language, theory, or practice.No other book critiques generative architecture by evaluating its scientific rhetoric and disjunction from actual scientific theory and practice. Based on the author’s years of field research in architecture studios and biological labs, this rare, field-building book does no less than definitively, unsparingly explain the role of the natural sciences within contemporary architecture.Trade Review"Christina Cogdell's soberly scholarly book shows that high-tech evolutionary or generative design is environmentally unsustainable, and that many (fortunately, not all) of today's computational bio-designers are selling, or buying, fake science. Who is to blame for this colossal, and possibly ominous, waste of intelligence and resources? Cogdell has one prime culprit in mind."—Mario Carpo, University College London"Toward a Living Architecture? is a timely meditation into the hype and hope of the fantasy of generative architecture—a field in which biological metaphors are taken literally and the complexities of living systems are brushed away in favor of simplistic illusions of control. Christina Cogdell is a phenomenal researcher who does not shy away from engaging in deep and experiential investigative field work in diverse settings; delving into scientific labs, studios, and knowledge systems, she presents a clear and reasoned argument for the need for a more nuanced and rigorous integration of the life science and architecture than the model currently presented by generative architecture discourse."—Oron Catts, University of Western AustraliaTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Self-Organizing and Emergent Architecture2. Material Computation3. Morphogenesis and Evolutionary Computation4. Context Matters: LabStudio and Biosynthesis5. Growing Living Buildings: Tissue and Genetic Engineering in Architecture and Design6. “Protocell” Architecture and SynBioDesignAcknowledgmentsAppendix: Brief History of Complexity’s Intersections with Generative ArchitectureNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisThree hundred years ago, intellectuals of the European Enlightenment constructed a mythology of technology. Influenced by a confluence of humanism, colonialism, and racism, this mythology ignored local wisdom and indigenous innovation, deeming it primitive. Today, we have slowly come to realize that the legacy of this mythology is haunting us. Designers understand the urgency of reducing humanity’s negative environmental impact, yet perpetuate the same mythology of technology that relies on exploiting nature. Responding to climate change by building hard infrastructures and favoring high-tech homogenous design, we are ignoring millennia-old knowledge of how to live in symbiosis with nature. Without implementing soft systems that use biodiversity as a building block, designs remain inherently unsustainable.Lo—TEK, derived from Traditional Ecological Knowledge, is a cumulative body of multigenerational knowledge, practices, and beliefs, countering the idea that indigenous innovation is primitive and exists isolated from technology. It is sophisticated and designed to sustainably work with complex ecosystems. With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and four chapters spanning Mountains, Forests, Deserts, and Wetlands, this book explores thousands of years of human wisdom and ingenuity from 18 countries including Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Iran, Iraq, India, and Indonesia. We rediscover an ancient mythology in a contemporary context, radicalizing the spirit of human nature. The tactile reading experience of Lo—TEK reflects the ingenuity of carefully selected projects with sophisticated design details: copper highlights the value of ancient knowledge, a cardboard hardcover echoes rawness, and the Swiss binding showcases an open spine and reveals the construction of the book, just as the book discloses hidden technological knowledge.Trade Review“If we can transform our relationship with the planet, we might actually get somewhere – and Lo—TEK provides 400 pages of inspiration.” * Vogue *“A beautiful work combining a little hard science and a lot of romanticism.” * The World of Interiors *“Can ancient fixes save our crisis-torn world?… [Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism] is the result of a decade of travelling to some of the most remote regions on the planet, interviewing anthropologists, scientists and tribe members. [Watson] carefully documented their indigenous innovations using the landscape architect’s language of plans, cross-sections and exploded isometric diagrams to explain clearly how they work.” * The Guardian *“Examples of centuries-old design that combat climate change.” * architecturaldigest.com *“Lo—TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism provides a blueprint for sustainable architecture in the 21st century.” * Harvard University Graduate School of Design *“We rediscover an ancient mythology in a contemporary context, radicalizing the spirit of human nature.” * independent.co.uk *“The result of more than 20 years of travelling to research the original smart settlements, through an architect’s lens.” * theguardian.com *

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Book SynopsisThe green architecture movement is a worldwide phenomenon that addresses sustainability and a parallel awareness of how the built world is enriched by nature. This lavishly illustrated book presents the most beautiful and innovative buildings from around the world and explores how they incorporate plants and architecture in both interior design and construction. With inspiring projects and practical tips for both the professional and the enthusiast, the author explores the best of what’s green in houses large and small, apartment buildings, and offices.

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Book SynopsisJoanna Boehnert is Research Fellow at the Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus (CECAN) at the University of Surrey, UK.Trade ReviewJoanna Boehnert's book shows in a masterful manner that there are no technological, ideological or other easy fixes to the contradiction between capitalism and nature. She powerfully makes the point that we need political design in order to create a better world. A must-read for everyone interested in design, ecology, communication and politics. * Christian Fuchs, Professor of Social Media at the University of Westminster, UK *Dr Boehnert envisions a possible, eco-ethical praxis sufficient to the urgency of the Ecocene era. With inspirational tempo, she sweeps across and connects the significant ideas that advance design eco-literacy, decolonizing and replacing outmoded discourses with powerful fresh starts. * Peter Jones, Co-founder of the Systemic Design Research Network at OCAD University, Canada *Design, Ecology, Politics is a powerful contribution. It is a thoroughly innovative, provocative and confrontational approach to pressing twenty-first century challenges at the human-environment interface. Joanna Boehnert has produced a compelling book which expands our considerations of design and ecological literacy in the complex socio-economic systems where we find 'home'. I enthusiastically recommend this work to those interested in charting productive and sustainable pathways through today's ecological, social and cultural challenges. * Maxwell Boykoff, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder, USA *Design, Ecology, Politics commands design educators to ground their practice in critically engaged ecological literacy. Boehnert’s deeply textured and carefully crafted clarion call should be read by all who design on our earth. And it is a must for current and future planners. * Christopher Silver, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida, USA *In this work, Dr Joanna Boehnert examines foundational elements of human perception and design, beautifully integrating situated knowledge into the complex systems in which it exists, offering insights both relevant and practicable. * Mara Averick, Research Analyst at the Economic Development Assistance Consortium, USA *At last, a book that clearly locates design for sustainability within a sophisticated account of contemporary political economy. To affect the transition toward more sustainable futures, we urgently need the lucid negotiation of social complexity that this book provides. * Cameron Tonkinwise, Director of Design Studies at Carnegie Mellon University, USA *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Within and Beyond Error Part One – Design 1. Design Theory 101 2. Design as Symbolic Violence 3. Design vs. The Design Industry Part Two – Ecology 4. Ecological Theory 101 5. Epistemological Error 6. Ecological Literacy 7. Ecoliterate Design 8. Ecological Movements 9. Ecological Perception 1: Theory 10. Ecological Perception 2: Practice 11. Ecological Identity Part Three – Politics 12. Social Marketing 13. The Green Economy 14. The TechnoFix 15. Data Visualisation Conclusion: Towards the Ecocene

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Book SynopsisWhat if, even in the heart of a densely developed city, people could have meaningful encounters with nature? While parks, street trees, and green roofs are increasingly appreciated for their technical services like storm water reduction, from a biophilic viewpoint, they also facilitate experiences that contribute to better physical and mental health: natural elements in play areas can lessen children's symptoms of ADHD and adults who exercise in natural spaces can experience greater reductions in anxiety and blood pressure. The Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design offers practical advice and inspiration for ensuring nature in the city is more than infrastructure, that it also creates an emotional connection to the earth and promotes well-being among urban residents. Divided into six parts, the Handbook begins by introducing key ideas, literature, and theory about biophilic urbanism; followed by chapters that highlight urban biophilic innovations in more than a dozen global cities; the final part concludes with lessons on how to advance an agenda for urban biophilia and an extensive list of resources.As the most comprehensive reference on the emerging field of biophilic urbanism, the Handbook is essential reading for students and practitioners looking to place nature at the core of their planning and design ideas and encourage what pre-eminent biologist E. O. Wilson described as "the innate emotional connection of humans to all living things."

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Book SynopsisSince the publication of the first edition in 2000, Sustainable Landscape Construction has helped to spur a movement towards resilient outdoor environments, in the U.S. and throughout the world. The third edition has been updated to include important recent developments in this landscape revolution. It remains essential reading for everyone with an interest in "green" design of outdoor spaces and infrastructures. Like its predecessors, the new edition of Sustainable Landscape Construction is organized around principles, recognizing that built environments, and our work in them, pose both pragmatic and ethical challenges. Each chapter focuses on one overarching site goal, such as "Pave Less," "Heal Injured Sites," and "Consider Origin and Fate of Materials." These principles of land sustainability are clearly articulated and developed through specific examples of more than 100 projects from around the world, reflecting both traditions and recent innovations. Expanded coverage of industry trends toward performance monitoring, and of lessons from project failures, form an important enhancement in this edition. New content also details the necessity to plan adaptively, not just preventively, for the realities of changing climate and intensifying weather. Some of the trends covered will shift how landscape architects and contractors will do business in challenging years ahead: to survive, many professionals and clients will focus on restoration projects, motivated by ecosystem services and social justice, and funded by innovative methods. Sustainable Landscape Construction is part of the canon of landscape construction texts, and with this update, remains a visionary, one of a kind reference for professionals and students.

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Book SynopsisThis book explains this new direction in architecture, so that in a few decades what may now seem extraordinary will be commonplace. It is a method to build or renovate close to what may eventually be known as bioconstruction - a building system with recycled or recyclable, low-environmental impact materials, or materials that can be extracted by simple processes at a low cost. This book takes a room-by-room look at the house, from the living room to the bathroom and the garden, all trying to preserve materials so that they have a longer life. We give priority to environmental and technological measures in the design phase of a home that save water and energy.

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Book SynopsisIn 2006 Abu Dhabi launched an ambitious project to construct the world’s first zero-carbon city: Masdar City. In Spaceship in the Desert Gökçe Günel examines the development and construction of Masdar City''s renewable energy and clean technology infrastructures, providing an illuminating portrait of an international group of engineers, designers, and students who attempted to build a post-oil future in Abu Dhabi. While many of Masdar''s initiatives—such as developing a new energy currency and a driverless rapid transit network—have stalled or not met expectations, Günel analyzes how these initiatives contributed to rendering the future a thinly disguised version of the fossil-fueled present. Spaceship in the Desert tells the story of Masdar, at once a “utopia” sponsored by the Emirati government, and a well-resourced company involving different actors who participated in the project, each with their own agendas andTrade Review"Spaceship in the Desert is the fascinating story of a 'zero-carbon eco-city' that demonstrates the stark difference between vision and reality. . . . Günel’s first-hand reportage is insightful and objective." -- Barry Silverstein * Foreword Reviews *"The book is not only a rich ethnographic description of Masdar in all of its intricacies, but also a larger reflection on how global risks are framed according to the beliefs and situated actions of various interest groups." -- Gerardo del Cerro Santamaría * International Journal of Urban and Regional Research *"The global climate crisis is serious, but Günel shows that our attempts to tackle it are less so. . . . Our contemporary moral mess, from the GCC to Massachusetts, can be seen all too clearly through the pages of Günel’s account." -- Deen Sharp * Public Books *"Günel’s deft ethnographic sensibilities and creatively designed fieldwork further distinguish her contributions to anthropological studies of climate change, governance, knowledge production, infrastructure, materialism, and futurity more broadly. . . . Through fascinating and critical ethnographic descriptions, Günel offers a piercing glimpse into the front-lines of global climate change action." -- Gebhard Keny * Ethnos *"Spaceship in the Desert is a timely contribution to a growing field of anthropological scholarship on energy. . . . This book has the potential to attract readers from across the social sciences, not just within anthropology. The richness of ethnographic detail drawn in connection with the work of key thinkers may satisfy some readers." -- Idalina Baptista * Anthropological Quarterly *"Compelling and thought-provoking. . . . Günel encourages us as academics and as persons to rethink, renegotiate, and recreate our imaginations of the future through climate change technologies that do not preserve the status quo, but rather, alter it in the present." -- Hai Ri (Sophia) Jeon * Anthropology Book Forum *“[Günel’s] brilliant ethnography of Masdar reminds us of the limits of the third pilot of Spaceship Earth—the market.... Günel’s study also shows how the scope of climate change demands administrative bodies beyond corporations and states.” -- Troy Vettese * Viewpoint Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction. The Soul of Carbon Dioxide 1 Part I. Knowledge 1. Inhabiting the Spaceship 37 2. Beautiful Buildings and Research Contracts 65 Part II. Technology 3. Ergos: A New Energy Currency 101 4. An Expensive Toy 127 Part III. Governance 5. Subsurface Workings 157 Epilogue. The Potential Futures of Abu Dhabi's Masdar 183 Notes 199 References 237 Index 249

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know to build with rammed earth in warm and cold climates. Rammed earth - sand, gravel, and clay or lime/cement binder packed into forms - is a low-energy, high-performance building method, yielding beautiful, sustainable results. It''s thermally stable and can be insulated, can actively modulate humidity, provides a healthy indoor environment, and allows site materials to be used for major structural and building envelope elements. Essential Rammed Earth Construction covers design, building science, tools, and step-by-step building methods for any climate, with a special emphasis on building in cold climates of the northern US, Canada, and northern Europe. Coverage includes: Overview of earthen building Appropriate use of rammed earth walls Stabilized versus raw rammed earth Design considerations, including structural, insulation, and building envelope details Special considerations for cold and freeze-thaw climates Construction drawings, with step-by-step building instructions Tools and labor covering industrial methods, low-tech techniques, formwork options, mix design, budgets, and schedules Codes, inspections, and permits. This guide is an essential resource for experienced builders, DIY home owners, designers, engineers, and architects interested in learning about rammed earth construction.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword By Meror Krayenhoff Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rationale and Appropriate Use Chapter 3: Building Science Notes Chapter 4: Materials Chapter 5: Wall System Examples and Structural Design Considerations Chapter 6: Tools and Mixing Chapter 7: Construction Methods Chapter 8: Cost Estimates Based on a Cement-Stabilized Rammed Earth Project Chapter 9: Wall Surfaces, Openings, and EmbedmentsChapter 10: Building Code Developments Appendix A: Sample Engineering Specification Appendix B: Alternative Solutions Proposal Definitions Resources and Material Suppliers Bibliography Index About the Author A Note About the Publisher

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Book SynopsisA cutting-edge, solutions-oriented analysis of how we can reimagine cities around the world to build sustainable futures. What would it take to make urban places greener, more affordable, more equitable, and healthier for everyone? In recent years, cities have stepped up efforts to address climate and sustainability crises. But progress has not been fast enough or gone deep enough. If communities are to thrive in the future, we need to quickly imagine and implement an entirely new approach to urban development: one that is centered on equity and rethinks social, political, and economic systems as well as urban designs. With attention to this need for structural change, Reimagining Sustainable Cities advocates for a community-informed model of racially, economically, and socially just cities and regions. The book aims to rethink urban sustainability for a new era. In Reimagining Sustainable Cities, Stephen M. Wheeler and Christina D. Rosan ask big-picture questions of interest to readers worldwide: How do we get to carbon neutrality? How do we adapt to a climate-changed world? How can we create affordable, inclusive, and equitable cities? While many books dwell on the analysis of problems, Reimagining Sustainable Cities prioritizes solutions-oriented thinkingsurveying historical trends, providing examples of constructive action worldwide, and outlining alternative problem-solving strategies. Wheeler and Rosan use a social ecology lens and draw perspectives from multiple disciplines. Positive, readable, and constructive in tone, Reimagining Sustainable Cities identifies actions ranging from urban design to institutional restructuring that can bring about fundamental change and prepare us for the challenges ahead. Trade Review"Half a century on, drastic change is still needed, warn urban ecologists Stephen Wheeler and Christina Rosen in their enlightening survey of today’s cities." * Nature *"This book is an ideal companion to a wide range of readers wishing to think again about sustainable cities and stimulate change across urban areas. The narrative of positivity and optimism laid out in the context of achieving sustainability makes this book a refreshing and welcome addition to a mounting body of literature dedicated to sustainable urban action." * Buildings & Cities *"This book is a compendium of the many changes that will be necessary to make a sustainable and equitable future possible." * Journal of Urban Affairs *"A much needed, holistically integrative, overview of sustainability strategies for designing greener, more just, resilient, adaptable and climate friendly communities." * Urban Studies Online *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1. How Do We Get to Climate Neutrality? 2. How Do We Adapt to the Climate Crisis? 3. How Might We Create More Sustainable Economies? 4. How Can We Make Affordable, Inclusive, and Equitable Cities? 5. How Can We Reduce Spatial Inequality? 6. How Can We Get Where We Need to Go More Sustainably? 7. How Do We Manage Land More Sustainably? 8. How Do We Design Greener Cities? 9. How Do We Reduce Our Ecological Footprints? 10. How Can Cities Better Support Human Development? 11. How Might We Have More Functional Democracy? 12. How Can Each of Us Help Lead the Move toward Sustainable Communities? Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisBuildings and construction are a major contributor to the climate and biodiversity emergency. They account for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It is more important than ever for architects to design responsibly and create low-carbon, low-energy buildings for a sustainable future. 101 Rules of Thumb sets out the essential elements of low-energy architecture in a fresh, intuitive way. Where ever-changing technology and complex legislation can cloud the designer’s thought-process, this book equips you with the fundamentals you need to minimise CO2 emissions, design for low-energy use and work with, not against, the forces of nature.With reliable, simple rules of thumb, each page focuses on a single piece of guidance along with a clear hand-drawn illustration. The emphasis is on passive low-energy principles, and the rules of thumb cover all the design fundamentals from site and location to orientation and form, peppered with ideas to help the designer think outside the box, drawing inspiration from traditional methods, photoperiodic plants, and the black-tailed prairie dog. An extended, fully updated narrative bibliography explores the sources in detail and provides a valuable springboard for further study.Applicable throughout the world in any climate region, 101 Rules of Thumb is a global primer to be dipped into at any time as a quick means of re-focusing on what’s important when designing a new or retrofitted low-energy building.The rules cover:• Site and location• Orientation and form• The low-energy building envelope• Carbon free heating, cooling and lighting• Passive low-energy principlesTable of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1. Working with site and location - Sun and shade - Climate and micro-climate - Shelter from wind and rain Chapter 2. Manipulating orientation and form - The relationship between sun and wind - The impact of building form Chapter 3. The low-energy building envelope - Heavy and lightweight construction - The timing of heating needs - Reducing heat loss Chapter 4. Energy and the internal environment - Carbon free heating – direct, isolated and indirect solar gain - Carbon free cooling: using earth, wind and water - Carbon free lighting: daylight - Colour Chapter 5. Rules and strategies for different climatic regions - Hot–dry climate - Hot–humid climate - Cold climate - Cold-winter/hot-summer climate - Temperate climate Narrative bibliography Bibliography

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