Sustainable architecture and design Books

Book SynopsisThe aim of this book is to bring together multidisciplinary research in the field of green infrastructure design, construction and ecology. The main core of the volume is constituted by contributions dealing with green infrastructure, vegetation science, nature-based solutions and sustainable urban development. The green infrastructure and its ecosystem services, indeed, are gaining space in both political agendas and academic research. However, the attention is focused on the services that nature is giving for free to and for human health and survival. What if we start to see things from another perspective? Our actions shall converge for instance to turn man-made environment like cities from heterotrophic to autotrophic ecosystems. From landscape ecology to urban and building design, like bricks of a wall, from the small scale to the bigger landscape scale via ecological networks and corridors, we should start answering these questions: what are the services that are we offering to Nature? What are we improving? How to implement our actions? This book contains three Open Access chapters, which are licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).Table of ContentsPreface.- Acknowledgements.- Chapter 1. Urban Services to Ecosystems: An introduction (Riccardo Guarino, Maria Beatrice Andreucci, Manfredi Leone, Francesca Bretzel, Salvatore Pasta & Chiara Catalano).- Part I: Green Infrastructure, Urban Ecology and Vegetation Science.- Chapter 2. Improving extensive green roofs for endangered ground-nesting birds (Nathalie Baumann, Chiara Catalano & Salvatore Pasta).- Chapter 3. A plant sociological procedure for the ecological design and enhancement of urban green infrastructure (Chiara Catalano, Salvatore Pasta & Riccardo Guarino).- Chapter 4. Functional and phylogenetic characteristics of vegetation: effects on constructed green infrastructure (Amy Heim, Garland Xie & Jeremy Lundholm).- Chapter 5. Green Infrastructure within urban and rural landscapes following Landscape Bionomics (Vittorio Ingegnoli).- Chapter 6. Roof greening with native plant species of dry sandy grasslands in northwestern Germany (Kathrin Kiehl, Daniel Jeschke & Roland Schröder).- Chapter 7. Nature-Based Solutions as Tools for Monitoring the Abiotic and Biotic Factors in Urban Ecosystems (Federica Larcher, Chiara Baldacchini, Chiara Ferracini, Monica Vercelli, Martina Ristorini, Luca Battisti & Carlo Calfapietra).- Chapter 8. Anthosart Green Tool: selecting species for green infrastructure design (Patrizia Menegoni, Riccardo Guarino, Sandro Pignatti, Claudia Trotta, Francesca Lecce, Federica Colucci, Maria Sighicelli & Loris Pietrelli).- Chapter 9. Stewardship innovation: the forgotten component in maximising the value of urban nature-based solutions (Caroline Nash, Heather Rumble & Stuart Connop).- Chapter 10. Nature as model: Evaluating the mature vegetation of early extensive green roofs (Christine Thuring & Nigel Dunnett).- Chapter 11. Less is more: soil and substrate quality as an opportunity for urban greening and biodiversity conservation (Francesca Vannucchi, Francesca Bretzel, Roberto Pini & Heather Rumble).- Part II: Planning and Implementation of Green Infra-structure.- Chapter 12. Public Nature: The Contribution of Urban Agriculture to New Green Infrastructure in Japan (Noriko Akita).- Chapter 13. Anticipating an Urban Green Infrastructure Design for the Turkish Mediterranean City of Antalya (Meryem Atik, Veli Ortaçesme & Emrah Yildirim).- Chapter 14. Multifunctional ecological networks as framework for landscape and spatial planning in Italy (Serena D’ambrogi & Matteo Guccione).- Chapter 15. The foodscape as ecological system. Landscape resources for r-urban bmetabolism, social empowerment and cultural production (Sara Favargiotti & Angelica Pianegonda).- Chapter 16. Policies and planning of urban Green Infrastructure and sustainable urban drainage systems (Daniele La Rosa & Viviana Pappalardo).- Chapter 17. Soil and Water Bioengineering as Natural Based Solutions (Paola Sangalli, João Paulo Fernandes & Guillermo Tardío).- Chapter 18. Guided by Water: Green Infrastructure Planning and Design Adapted To Climate Change (Camila Gomes Sant’anna, Ian Mell & Luciana Bongiovanni Martins Schenk).- Chapter 19. Abandoned Lands on Lower Danube’s Urban Front as Opportunity to Enhance the River Corridor and the Urban Green Infrastructure (Angelica - Ionela Stan & Mihaela Hărmănescu).- Chapter 20. The Collserola Special Protection Plan (PEPNat): a bid for coresponsibility in agricultural and forest management (Eugènia Vidal-Casanovas, Laura Cid, Antoni Farrero, Patricia García-Rodríguez & Kyriaki Ilousi).- Part III: Nature-Based Solutions and Innovative Design Approaches.- Chapter 21. Exploring Regenerative Co-benefits of Biophilic Design for People and the Environment (Maria Beatrice Andreucci, Angela Loder, Beth Mcgee, Jelena Brajković & Martin Brown).- Chapter 22. Design the Urban Microclimate: Nature-based Solutions and Technology at Nexus (Silvia Coccolo, Marco Delli Paoli, Alessandro Stracqualursi & Maria Beatrice Andreucci).- Chapter 23. Evolution of the Approaches to Planting Design of Parks and Gardens as Main Greenspaces of Green Infrastructure (Maria Ignatieva).- Chapter 24. Environment in megacities: Tehran Waterscapes (Manfredi Leone, Ayda Alehashemi & Giuditta Lo Tauro).- Chapter 25. Cities facing the Wild (Annalisa Metta & Maria Livia Olivetti).- Chapter 26. Biodiverse Cities: Exploring multifunctional green infrastructure for ecosystem services and human well-being (Alessio Russo & Katie A. Holzer).- Chapter 27. In Consideration of the Tree: The importance of structure and function in the realization of Ecological Design (Naomi Zürcher).- Index

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Book SynopsisAn exploration into the work of the Omega Center for Sustainable Living, as it tests what is possible with regenerative design and the outcome when sustainability is moved to the top of the list of criteria.

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling guide to forward-looking urban planning and design Sustainable Urbanism explores and celebrates innovation in sustainable living, and calls for leadership in the design and development of urban spaces. Written by the former chair of the U.S.Table of ContentsForeword xiJanette Sadik-Khan Preface xiii Acknowledgments xviii PART ONE: Our Default World 1: Where We Are 5 Civilization Timeline 5 Global hreats 6 National hreats 8 Global Barriers 10 National Barriers 12 Global Progress 14 National Progress 16 2: Case Studies: The Future Ahead of Schedule 24 PART TWO: Our Preferred Future 3: Where We Want to Go 68 A World Advancing Together 69 India 74 China 75 Nigeria 76 United States 77 PART THREE: Theory of Change 4: Igniting Community 82 Making “More Perfect” Communities 83 Are We here Yet? 84 5: Time 92 An Urgent Pivot that Falls on Our Watch 93 Mature Changelines 100 Emergent Changelines 102 6: Acceleration Strategies 116 How We Can Attain Our Preferred Future in Four Generations 117 How We Perceive Change 118 How Markets Inluence Change 124 Campaigns 125 Communities and Networks of Practice 128 Pilgrimage Sites 135 Professional Ethics and Liability 136 PART FOUR: The Practice of Change Why patterns? 146 7: Collective Effervescence 148 Build strong relationships between people and place through hope and hard work 150Mary Nelson, PhD Use participatory art to connect to your neighbor’s humanity 152Kareeshma Ali Every neighborhood needs an anchor house, magnetized to attract assets and demonstrate possibility 154Isis Ferguson Transform every public space into a welcoming place 156Fred Kent Increase “expressive surface area” in cities and make a place for creative ecology to lourish! 158Steven Raspa Celebrate life with immersive community events guided by the principles of Burning Man 160Steve Raspa Create a unique and visible food culture in every neighborhood 162Janine de la Salle, MA, MCIP, RPP Use seasonal landscaping to connect humans with nature, and with each other 168Steve Nygren 8: Self-Governing Neighborhoods 172 Truly great neighborhoods dream, make aspirational plans, and implement them over time 174Alicia Daniels Uhlig Maintain the health of your neighborhood by holding annual planning checkups 176Jessica Millman Plan land use changes via a design charrette process that includes robust input and at least three feedback loops 178Bill Lennertz Conduct an annual “tactical intervention” that re-envisions how underutilized space can promote prosperity 180Mike Lydon Make large on-the-ground changes fast through clear vision, demonstration,and measurement 184Janette Sadik-Khan, Seth Solomonow Fill the gap in neighbourhood governance by creating an innovative business improvement district that includes residences 187Jamie Simone, AICP, LEED-AP Build immunity to gentriication 189Antwi Akom, Tessa Cruz, Aekta Shah Treat light poles as valuable public assets able to support advanced data in the future 191Nancy Clanton, P.E. Let district governance unfold over time 192Daniel Slone 9: A Theater of Life 196 People need an identiiable spatial unit to belong to 198Emily Talen, PhD Maximize contact between communities of interest by designing third places 202Aly Andrews Provide microunit housing in a “two-hour neighborhood,” with a nearby grocery, park, and indoor third place 204Patrick Kennedy Turn strangers into neighbors by diversifying dwelling types in each building 206Stefanos Polyzoides, Vinayak Bharne Mix building types within every block 208Daniel Parolek Each building should have one architectural style 210Steve Nygren 10: Vibrant Density 212 The “sweet spot” in a sustainable urban fabric is four to eight stories 214Jason F. McLennan Buildings should comprise a visible base, a middle no more than seven stories tall, and a top 216Steve Mouzon Make housing more afordable and proitable by reducing and separating parking 218John G. Ellis, AIA, RIBA, Mohammad Momin Urban parking should be considered temporary and designed to be redevelopment-ready 222Douglas Farr Build higher-density housing consistent with the average market potential: 100% in downtowns; 80% in in-towns; and 46% in outskirts 224Todd Zimmerman, Laurie Volk, Christopher Volk-Zimmerman Meet the demand for walkable living by permitting house-scale, multi-unit buildings 226Daniel Parolek Grant single-family homeowners the flexibility to add dwelling units on their lots 228Brent Toderian Welcome singles and small families by creating a market for coach houses 230Tim Kirkby, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, ND Become a developer, build incrementally, all small buildings 232R. John Anderson 11: Mobility in Walkable Places 236 Create a bikesharing network with depots located at key destinations approximately 1,000 feet apart 238Susan A. Shaheen, PhD Respect that the current carsharing market is dynamic and varies place by place 240Susan A. Shaheen, PhD Dramatically reduce residential vehicle trips by up to 90% through land use and transportation design 242David Fields, AICP Save money and reduce nonresidential car trips by up to 32% by investing in demand management rather than parking supply 244David Fields, AICP Stop inducing vehicular demand by eliminating Level of Service 246David Fields, AICP, Joshua Karlin-Resnick Urban highways should be considered temporary and only remain in use through a periodic justiication of their existence 248Andrew Faulkner, Chris Sensenig Urban highways that cannot justify their existence should be removed via the following strategies 250Andrew Faulkner, Chris Sensenig 12: Neighborhood Economy 258 Provide housing attainable by working singles and couples 260Douglas Farr Grow an economy of walk-to jobs by providing lower rent space for small-scale manufacturers 264Ilana Preuss Support neighborhood retail by scouting and cultivating entrepreneurial talent 268Daryl Rose Davis All retail should be accessible on foot 270Robert J. Gibbs Always delight pedestrians with storefront design, day and night 274Robert J. Gibbs Minimize landills by encouraging zero waste through social norms and pricing 276Gail Vittori 13: Urban Waters 280 Treat every project as an opportunity to process rainwater and stormwater 282Thomas H. Price, P.E. Demand beauty when engineering rainwater and stormwater facilities 284Thomas H. Price, P.E. Design urban waters to delight the senses 288Herbert Dreiseitl Allow private stormwater to be processed on nearby streets and lands through a local management structure 292Daniel Slone Reduce freshwater demand by 36-75% by equipping neighborhoods to use nonpotable water 294John Leys Provide enough space to select low energy-consuming wastewater treatment technologies 298John Leys Pursue the vision of clean waters for all by choosing wastewater technologies that clean more than they pollute 300Thomas E. Ennis, PE, LEED AP Design wastewater treatment plants to be resource recovery and power centers 302Debra Shore Recapture the waste heat in wastewater and use it to offset heating demand 304Brent Shraiberg 14: Stranded Carbon 310 Design all buildings for the future by designing them to be net-zero energy ready 312Matthew Mcgrane, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP Optimal glazing for buildings is a window-to-wall ratio of approximately 40% 314Sachin Anand, Sameer Divekar Build larger buildings, preferably thin,don’t sweat orientation 316Sachin Anand, Sameer Divekar Approach every project as though PHIUS+, the building energy code of the future, were in effect today 318Katrin Klingenberg Plan systems only at effective scales 320Cole Roberts, PE Reduce waste 3-27% by providing timely, relevant, and actionable data 322Clare Butterield 15: The New Health, Safety, and Welfare 324 Design the built environment to guarantee that the easy choice is the healthy choice 326Richard J. Jackson, MD Improve community health and reduce costs by investing in local, people centered wellness 328Larry Morrissey For pedestrian safety, use street design to limit vehicle speeds to no more than 20 mph 330Dan Burden, Samantha Thomas Increase both property values and time spent outdoors by illing the gaps between walk-to parks 334Grant M. Hromas In legacy cities, ensure the future of every block through landscape reuse 336Maurice Cox, James Macmillen, Erin Kelly, Alexa Bush, Omar Davis, Dan Rieden To improve public health, safety, and welfare in buildings, make at least one required ire stair open and inviting and start it in the lobby 340Scott Bernstein End the race to build the world’s tallest building 342Douglas Farr Stay connected to the night sky through minimal adjustable street-level lighting 344Nancy Clanton, PE Respect circadian rhythms for all species by eliminating blue outdoor light 346Nancy Clanton, PE Make public outdoor lighting beautiful from every angle 348Nancy Clanton, PE Epilogue 353 Glossary 355 Index 361

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Book SynopsisTogether, we can solve the climate crisis; eliminating air pollution and safely securing energy supplies for everyone, without relying on 'miracle' technologies. Find out what you can do as an individual, a community or a nation, to improve the health, climate and economic state of our planet.Trade Review'A meticulous primer on achieving a WWS energy transition.' Kirkus Reviews'… the argument is convincing and optimistic. Readers looking to rebut criticism about green energy will find this a great help.' Publishers Weekly'Professor Jacobson eschews expensive pie in the sky technology like carbon capture or nuclear to show us the way out of a multi-layered problem. Pollution, climate catastrophe and energy security can all be addressed with his simple plan. Mark lays it out in an easy-to-read, step-by-step guide that gives hope and helps us all to easily understand that these problems are not insurmountable or even very expensive. We have virtually all we need to move ahead with a cleaner, safer and more secure world starting today. You knowing it will accelerate this necessary transition away from burning things to power our lives. This book is a godsend.' Mark Ruffalo'To those who wrongly insist we lack the tools to decarbonize our economy today, I say: read energy systems expert Mark Jacobson's amazing new book. In No Miracles Needed, Jacobson presents a comprehensive and detailed, yet highly accessible and readable blueprint for the options we have right now to address the climate crisis by taking advantage of existing renewable energy, storage, and smart grid technology combined with electrification of transportation systems, and efficiency measures. Read this book and be informed and engaged to help tackle the defining challenge of our time.' Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State University and author of The New Climate War'Many people believe or fear that we can't solve the climate crisis, because we just don't have the technologies in hand to do so. This book should lay that fear to rest, once and for all.' Naomi Oreskes, co-author (with Erik M Conway) of The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market'… shows impressively that numerous crises can be killed with one stone, without us having to wait for miracles: the energy, economic, health, and biodiversity crises can be solved by transitioning to a smart and complete supply of renewable energies. Let's not wait for miracles: let's simply implement it as soon as possible. Well worth reading!' Claudia Kemfert, German Institute for Economic Research and Professor of Energy Economics and Energy Policy at Leuphana University'… a highly compelling and accessible book laying out the best path for [our] energy future, one that is achievable with currently available technologies, with no need for some new miraculous breakthrough. This is a must read for all who care about the future of our society and our planet, written by the world's premier thinker on energy futures.' Bob Howarth, Cornell University'… blends science, engineering and history into a readable cornucopia of information … Mark's style is to present approachable depth on dozens of major topics: everything you need to understand, and to join the fight against, the peril of our time.' Anthony R. Ingraffea, Cornell University'Forget future miracle technologies promised by snake oil salespeople. This book offers a practical and real-world solution today. It is a must read for everyone concerned about climate change and air pollution and interested in the transition to a more sustainable all-purpose renewable energy future. It is sure to be one of the most important books that you will read this decade.' Peter Strachan, Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University'Mark Jacobson's essential book, No Miracles Needed, offers clean, safe, and efficient solutions for our energy needs in this time of ever-growing climate chaos and disaster … The tools for producing, storing, and transmitting affordable and safe clean energy exist here and now with wind, water, and solar. No miracles are needed. A tireless and brilliant advocate for the environment, Professor Mark Jacobson's voice must be read, heard, and acted upon - now.' Heidi Hutner, Stony Brook University'A masterful yet definitive book on renewable energy technology for those serious about understanding clean energy and how America and the world can transition to clean energy.' John J. Berger, author of Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth'Jacobson's scholarly and analytical book is persuasive' The Economist'In his new book, Mark Jacobson tackles the problems of climate change, air pollution, and energy security head-on, offering a hopeful vision of a future powered by renewable energy sources.' Donald Wright, Yale Climate Connections'Mark Jacobson's new book, greeted with hosannas by some leading environmentalists, is full of good ideas …' Bart Hawkins Kreps, Resilience.orgTable of ContentsForeword; Preface; 1. What problems are we trying to solve?; 2. WWS solutions for electricity generation; 3. WWS solutions for electricity storage; 4. WWS solutions for transportation; 5. WWS solutions for buildings; 6. WWS solutions for industry; 7. Solutions for non-energy emissions; 8. What doesn't work; 9. Electricity grids; 10. Photovoltaics and solar radiation; 11. Onshore and offshore wind energy; 12. Steps in developing 100 percent WWS roadmaps; 13. Keeping the grid stable with 100 percent WWS; 14. Timeline and policies needed to transition; 15. My journey.

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Book SynopsisStuart Walker's design work has been described as life-changing, inspiring, disturbing and ferocious. Drawing on an extraordinarily diverse range of sources and informed by creative practice, Design for Life penetrates to the heart of modern culture and the malaise that underlies today's moral and environmental crises. The author argues that this malaise is deep-seated and fundamental to the modern outlook. He shows how our preoccupation with technological progress, growth and the future has produced a constricted view of life one that is both destructive and self-reinforcing. Based on over twenty-five years of scholarship and creative practice, he demonstrates the vital importance of solitude, contemplation, inner growth and the present moment in developing a different course one that looks squarely at our current, precarious situation while offering a positive, hopeful way forward a way that is compassionate, context-based, humanTrade Review'Design for Life is full of brilliantly original thinking and practical guidance for building a better world. It offers a framework for designers and consumers alike and makes a more meaningful material culture feel possible.' Sebastian Cox, Designer and Maker, Director, Sebastian Cox studio & workshop'This book adopts a wholly new approach to design, one that gets right to its heart. Rooted in values, beliefs and creativity it adopts a rhetorical approach to its subject, blurring the boundary between designing and thinking about design.' - Penny Sparke, Professor of Design History, Kingston University'Brimming throughout with intelligence and curiosity, this deeply rooted, powerful book shapes design around the processes of life.' - Kate Fletcher, Professor of Sustainability, Design, Fashion, University of the Arts London'Both contents and narratives are impressive. This book interprets design in a unique way, and the key clue is its glorious humanism. It is the foundation of design’s new missions, new roles and new approaches, in this changing era.' - Yongqi Lou, Professor and Dean, College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai'In this stunning book, Stuart Walker’s sensibility explores deep and complex dimensions of design thinking and doing, shedding light on the role of intentions, priorities and values.' - Maria Cecilia Loschiavo dos Santos, Professor of Design, University of São Paulo'Our society expects and needs a new wisdom for developing our lives in more meaningful ways. In this book, Stuart Walker opens the door for dialogue on wisdom in design. It is a wisdom permeated by creativity, the human imagination, intuition and comprehension.' - Takeshi Sunaga, Professor of Design, Tokyo University of the Arts'Stuart Walker's emphasis on reflection and values brings a welcome dimension to the design process. He stresses personal vision as a way of contributing to design's capacity to make the world a better place.' - Victor Margolin, Professor Emeritus of Design History, University of Illinois, Chicago'He offers an authoritative account with a voice developed through experience and the knowhow acquired while treading the line between theoretical research and design practice.'- Matt Malpass, Programme Coordinator, Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London Table of ContentsPrologue 1. The Subject of Design: personal involvement and positive change 2. A Narrowing: loss of narrative unity and the nature of design change 3. Counterpoints: restoring balance through design 4. The Shift: an inward path to holistic design 5. Creativity: and the imperative of solitude 6. The Mesh: freeing design from dominant dogmas 7. Rhythms: movement, making and meaning 8. Seeds: designing for a new awareness Appendices 1. CONFESIÓN – relic from a future past 2. Listening to the Muse – a personal reflection 3. The Inadequacies of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 4. Related Websites Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSustainable Design for Interior Environments, 2nd Edition, builds on the first edition’s premise that the interior design profession has a social and moral responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people and the environment. The text equips professors, students, and practitioners to design sustainable interiors by addressing LEED certification, environmental concerns, ecosystems, ethics, values, worldviews, and the ways in which science and technology can be used to address environmental challenges. Through content, organization, and pedagogical features, the book integrates complex sustainability topics directly into the design process, thereby enabling readers to apply the concepts of sustainability with the same ease as they do the elements and principles of design.Table of ContentsExploring Sustainable Design and Development: Global Perspectives Introduction to Sustainable Design and Development Green Building and Product Assessment Standards Environmental Issues Sustainability and the Integrated Interior Environment Sustainable Strategies for Integrated Designs: Building Components Sustainable Strategies for Integrated Designs: Finishes and Furnishings Sustainable Strategies for Integrated Designs: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Sustainable Strategies for Integrated Designs: Daylighting and Electrical Lighting Systems Regulations, Programs, and Organizations Sustainability and the Integrated Design Process Sustainable Strategies for Integrated Designs: Commercial and Residential Interiors Sustainable Strategies for the Integrated Design Process Appendices A Professional Organizations, Government Agencies, and Trade Associations B Federal and Private Agencies and Programs Related to Sustainable Development/Design C Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Limits for Finishes D Standards for Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction E Site and Built Environment Assessment GLOSSARY RESOURCES INDEX

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Book SynopsisFrustrated with complicated and restrictive green-building certification programs and the under-enforced building code, a group of architects and builders in Portland, Maine, came up with the idea of the Pretty Good House. What, they asked, should you include in a house that does right for its inhabitants and the planet, but that does not go beyond reasonable environmental or financial payback? In a nutshell, a Pretty Good House is a house that's as small as possible (remember The Not So Big House?); it is simple and durable, but also well designed; it uses wood and plant-derived products as construction materials; it includes photovoltaic panels or is PV-ready; it should be insulated and air-sealed well enough that heating and cooling systems can be minimal, and, above all, it is affordable, healthy, responsible, and resilient.

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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 Synopsis'Counterintuitive, funny and provocative . Along the way, he reveals the deep-lying and often controversial roots of today's green city movement, and offers an argument for celebrating our cities as they are - in all their raucous, constructed and artificial glory.

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Book SynopsisDown and dirty -- a complete step-by-step guide to making, installing, and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floorsTrade Review"At last! The mystery is removed from most wonderful floors in the world. First thing you do: go find an earthen floor, pull off your shoes and socks, have a little walkabout, and discover great surprise and tactile delight. Next thing you do: buy this book, learn everything you need, and go make one yourself. Thank you Sukita and James for making this ancient treasure accessible to all." ---Bruce King, PE, Director, Ecological Building Network "Earthen floors have long been shrouded in mystery... Natural building enthusiasts have known about them and lusted after them, but despite the vast amount of natural building information produced in the past two decades, a tested and true treatise on earthen floors has been missing. No longer! This book is full of information, hard-won lessons learned and the real heart and spirit of natural building. The authors successfully de-mystify the process of mixing, installing, finishing and maintaining an earthen floor in a way that will help novices and seasoned builders alike to produce floors that are the most beautiful, sensual and eco-friendly option available. Thanks Sukita and James!" ---Chris Magwood "With Earthen Floors: A Modern Approach to an Ancient Practice, Sukita and James have come up with the ideal mix of inspiration, experience, technique, and instruction. This book will be of use and benefit to both experienced practitioners and those just dipping their toes into the subject of earthen floors for the first time. It is always a delight to find a well-written, clear and practical guide to natural building practice, and a special treat when fun and informative personal stories are interwoven with good graphics to bring the whole process to life. This book makes a great contribution to the field on every level. " ---David Eisenberg, Director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology "Earthen Floors fills a long-standing gap in the catalog of natural building publications in providing reliable and thorough instruction in earthen floor construction. With a style that is both comfortable and authoritative, this book offers the detailed instruction necessary for executing a quality earthen floor in a variety of different contexts. Crimmel and Thomson have drawn upon their extensive and direct experience in their craft and share valuable lessons learned with their readers. From the exploration of the historical roots of earthen floors to a look at the future of how we can improve upon this practice, Earthen Floors is the most comprehensive and thorough resource on earthen floor technology available today. With Earthen Floors, Crimmel and Thomson offer a gift to the natural building community that makes this technology more accessible to DIYers and professionals alike." ---Jacob Deva Racusin, Author, The Natural Building Companion, Co-Owner, New Frameworks Natural Building, LLC "This book is a welcome treasure, a long awaited and generous sharing of the detailed knowledge gained by the authors through years of testing and teaching and designing and installing earthen floors. In a thoughtfully presented text, we are now gifted with a compendium of information in one place, rather than the myriad conversations, tips, trials and experiments common in the last years of rediscovering and refining this valuable and timely technology. My clients and I will be indebted to Sukita and James for years to come. " ---Laura Bartels, Green Weaver Inc.Table of Contents Foreword by Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte Acknowledgments Introduction SECTION 1 About Earthen Floors Chapter 1: The History of Earthen Floors Chapter 2: Understanding Earthen Floors SECTION 2 Materials and Tools Chapter 3: Materials Chapter 4: Tools SECTION 3 Preparing for the Pour Chapter 5: Making the Floor Mix Chapter 6: The Subfloor Chapter 7: Preparing the Work Area SECTION 4 Installing the Floor Chapter 8: Pouring the Floor Chapter 9: Finishing the Floor Chapter 10: Living on, Maintaining and Removing an Earthen Floor SECTION 5 Beyond the Basics Chapter 11: Artistic Touches and Other Techniques Chapter 12: Floor Experiments Chapter 13: Using Radiant Heat Chapter 14: The Future of Earthen Floors Conclusion Appendix A : Glossary Appendix B : References Appendix C : Resources Appendix D : Building a Compacted Gravel (On-Grade) Subfloor Appendix E : Oil and Wax Safety Notes Index

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Book SynopsisBuild economical and resilient earthbag structures using simple tools and techniques. Earthbag construction- building with polypropylene bags usually filled with earthen materials- is a versatile, easy-to-master, low-impact, and highly durable form of building, suitable for structures from houses to root cellars.Containing over 75 photos and illustrations, Essential Earthbag Construction is a practical guide to this affordable method of building. Going well beyond the scope of other sources, this indispensable manual is packed with all the information you need to determine if it''s the right choice for your project, and to start building. Distilling decades of experience, research, and best practices, it covers: Material specifications, performance, and when and where to use it Pros and cons of different fills from gravel, to earth and clay, to insulative perlite, rice hulls, and volcanic stone Illustrated, step-byTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsForeword Chapter 1: A Brief History of Earthbag Building Chapter 2: Appropriate Uses for Earthbags Chapter 3: Building Science Notes Chapter 4: Material Specifications Bags Fill materia Barbed wire and other types of reinforcement Plaster Chapter 5: Tools Chapter 6: Foundations Chapter 7: Building Walls Locate source of fill material Filling bags Placing barbed wire and twine Laying bags in a pattern Closing the top of the bag Using a metal slider Tamping the bags Placing vertical reinforcement rods Building domes Chapter 8: Design Considerations and Constraints Vertical walls Domes Vaults Buttresses Bond beams Door and window openings Door and window bucks Arches and other shapes Spacing openings Vertical reinforcement for openings Lintels Wall thickness More than one story Below-grade construction Chapter 9: Plastering the Walls Chapter 10: Floor and Roof Options Slab on grade Masonry floors Adobe floors Suspended floors Roofs Chapter 11: How to Include Utilities Plumbing Electrical Heating Ventilation Cabinetry Chapter 12: Strategies for Seismic Reinforcement Chapter 13: General Budgeting Information Chapter 14: Maintenance and Renovation Chapter 15: Building Codes Chapter 16: Other Uses for Earthbags Retaining walls Cisterns Dams Root cellars and pantries Sculpture and art Resources Author's websites Other websites Books DVDs Workshops Bag supplies online Index About the AuthorA Note About the Publisher

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