Sustainable architecture and design Books

Book SynopsisGreen buildings are better buildings. In fact, buildings use 36% of the energy in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, so green buildings that use less energy help to address the very real challenges of reliance on fossil fuel and climate change. More than only being environmentally responsible, green libraries are beautiful, cost-effective, high-performance buildings that enhance occupant health and comfort.The Green Library Planner is designed for members of library building design teams who typically are not actively engaged in architecture, construction, or engineering, but who need an introduction to the rationale for green buildings, the elements of green building, and the language of the field. It will be equally useful for public officials, boards, or administrators who are considering a new green library building, a renovated library structure, or sustainable elements for a current library facility.Mary M. Carr, a library director who is also a LEED-Accredited Professional with national certification, first introduces the basic tenets of green building. She then covers the gamut of green building from design, through all phases of construction or renovation, to operations and maintenance.Chapter highlights include:Fundamentals of Sustainable BuildingThe Importance of PlaceEnergy and LightingIndoor Environmental QualityWater Conservation and QualitySustainable Construction Management TechniquesCommissioning Sustainable Operations and MaintenanceWith this information the librarian, and related library staff and administrators, will be able to design, build or renovate, and operate the library in the best way possible, while considering the environmental and economic challenges faced, locally and globally, in the 21st century.Trade ReviewThis book's subtitle is a big boast for such a slim volume, but Carr (executive director, library services, Comm. Coll. of Spokane) deftly guides librarians, building managers, renovators and everyone else involved in library renovation or construction on all matters green. Most library managers are forced into the necessity of learning facility maintenance on the fly—renovation knowledge is hard gained. Carr draws on her Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation and teaching experience to provide basic information, project checklists, tips, and extensive resources. Her chapters are organized by subject, including site assessment, energy and lighting, HVAC, green materials, indoor environmental quality, water conservation and quality, construction management, and building operations and maintenance. From everyday modifications to improve efficiency to major infrastructure renovations, the coverage will aid library managers. When a manager can show environmental awareness while being fiscally conservative, funding just might be a little easier to obtain. VERDICT Although pricey, this is an essential addition to the shelves of library administrators and facility managers in libraries of all sizes, as well as for relevant graduate school courses. * Library Journal *The Green Library Planner is designed for anyone interested in library design, but lacking architectural, construction or engineering expertise. It aims to introduce the rationale for green buildings, its elements and the language used in the field. It does this in sections, so you can read the entire book or just focus on the part that you need. . . .It covers a wide range of items within each section and. . . .is thorough in this. Each section has detailed references that give readers the opportunity to further explore the subject if they wish. It also includes practical checklists, illustrative examples and space for project notes to help make the concepts real. . . .For any librarian interested in or involved in a green building project, The Green Library Planner will give the knowledge needed to become more involved in the project. For those planning a project, this book will give what is needed to ask the right questions. Whether renovating or building a new library, reading The Green Library Planner should be on the librarian’s must-read list. * Australian Library Journal *The Green Library Planner: What Every Librarian Needs to Know before Starting to Build or Renovate is. . . .a well-organized planner that not only provides in-depth resources but also introduces us to sustainability and green practices. . . .Carr does not make assumptions about the reader’s expertise and approaches each topical area by first defining the problem in a global context and relating the role we each play as individuals and as an institutional stakeholder. Throughout the book, she examines the complex systems that make up a building and the environment in and around the building in a clear easy to understand manner. Just enough information is conveyed on a topic or in a definition to achieve a functional understanding. Carr makes it easy to seek out additional information or delve deeper into a concept through citations and resources at each chapter’s conclusion. Carr wonderfully acknowledges each topic’s complexities and is not prescriptive. Each institution must respond to its own community priorities. Carr’s style is to guide you, provide the resources for further investigation, hold up positive examples, and then challenge you to think about your community and your challenges. . . .The Green Library Planner delivers on Carr’s goals to provide a work that covers 'the major aspects of green building as it applies to building libraries, renovating them, and operating them sustainably.' It is a work that uses terms and concepts in an easy to understand manner that is applicable to a wider audience and all stakeholders in our environment. * Technical Services Quarterly *Mary M. Carr has written a valuable guide for managers of community resource organizations—particularly libraries—but certainly applicable in many aspects to the work of schools, community centers or museums. Carr has the personal experience as a LEED-AP and a library greening advisor to offer good resources, examples, and perspective. . . . The topic of environmentally-sustainable building and management practices is far too complex for any book to make a thorough study, but this one is detailed, thoughtful and realistic. The rest can only be filled-in by the integrated team involved in a particular project. . . . The definitions in each section are particularly helpful, and the checklists and resource lists are valuable tools for readers planning to implement these ideas. * Sustainable Museums Blog *This is a solidly written guide by librarian Carr who provides extensive resources as well as examples at the end of each chapter of libraries that follow green design practices. The author does a great job breaking down the often misunderstood topic of 'green building' into manageable pieces through the organization of the book, which starts off with fundamental concepts and moves on to specific topics such as lighting and air quality. The author defines key terms, provide resources for continued research, and includes questions for reflection and 'project notes' based on material from the chapter. ... there is helpful information in this title for everyone to use in one way or another. * VOYA *The Green Library Planner by Mary M. Carr is a welcome addition to the literature of 21st century library building design and construction. Her clear, casual style makes the content easy to read while at the same time clearly explaining the complex topic of sustainable design. The importance of sustainability not only to libraries but to everyone is best reflected in a quote from the first chapter: 'Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.' -- Ann Hamilton, Co-chair, ACRL-LLAMA Interdivisional Committee on Building ResourcesI learned a lot!!! The breadth of green issues and the resources are incredible. -- Julie, 2016-2017 PresiTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Fundamentals of Sustainable Building Chapter 2: The Importance of Place: From the Philosophical to the Practical Chapter 3: Energy and Lighting Chapter 4: Green Materials Chapter 5: Indoor Environmental Quality Chapter 6: Water Conservation and Quality Chapter 7: Construction Management Chapter 8: Building Operations and Maintenance Afterword

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe only comprehensive, illustrated, step-by-step guide to building with earthbags.Table of ContentsIntroduction; The Merits of Earthbag Building; Basic Materials for Earthbag Building; Tools, Tricks and Terminology; Foundations; Structural Design Features for Earthbag Walls; Step-by-Step Flexible Form Rammed Earth Technique; Electrical, Plumbing, Shelving, and Intersecting Walls: Making the Connection Lintel, Window, and Door Installation; Roof Systems; Arches: Putting the Arc Back into Architecture; Dynamics of a Dome; Illustrated Guide to Dome Construction; Roofing Options for Domes; Exterior Plasters; Interior Plasters; Floors; Designing for Your Climate; The Code; Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis The only how-to manual on the subject directed to mainstream owner-builders An earth-sheltered, earth-roofed home has the least impact upon the land of all housing styles, leaving almost zero footprint on the planet. Earth-Sheltered Houses is a practical guide for those who want to build their own underground home at moderate cost. It describes the benefits of sheltering a home with earth, including the added comfort and energy efficiency from the moderating influence of the earth on the home''s temperature-keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer-low maintenance, and the protection against fire, sound, earthquake and storm afforded by the earth. Extra benefits from adding an earth or other living roof option include greater longevity of the roof substrate, fine aesthetics, and environmental harmony. The book covers all of the various construction techniques involved including details on planning, excavation, footings, floor, walls, framing, roofing, waterproofing, insulation and drainage. Specific methods appropriate for the inexperienced owner-builder are a particular focus and include: pouring one''s own footings and/or floor the use of dry-stacked (surface-bonded) concrete block walls post-and-beam framing plank-and-beam roofing, and drainage methods and self-adhesive waterproofing membranes. The time-tested, easy-to-learn construction techniques described in Earth-Sheltered Houses will enable readers to embark upon their own building projects with confidence, backed up by a comprehensive resources section that lists all the latest products such as waterproofing membranes, types of rigid insulation and drainage products that will protect the building against water damage and heat loss. Table of ContentsIntroduction; Earth-Sheltered Design Principles; Siting and Excavation; Foundations; The Floor; External Walls; Timber Framing; Waterproofing, Insulation, & Drainage; The Living Roof; Finishing the Exterior; Interior Considerations; Performance; Our Earth-Sheltered Home: A Case Study; Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis How to make your senior years healthy, safe, social, and stimulating. Architect and author Chuck Durrett''s recently released book Senior Cohousing Handbook comes at a time of high interest in greening, sustainable housing and affordable living concerns. Durrett''s new book is a comprehensive guide for baby boomers wishing to continue vibrant, active lifestyles. - EPR Real Estate News Make your senior years safe and socially fun with the idea of senior cohousing and a book on the topic that shows how seniors can custom-build their neighborhood to fit their needs. This is housing built by seniors, not for them, and emphasizes independence and social networking. Any library strong in gerontology or social science and many a general lending library needs this. - James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review As a Baby Boomer, I''ve joked for a few years that we''ll all end up living communally again because Social Security will be broke...This is one Table of Contents Prologue byWilliamH.Thomas,M.D Foreword by Patch Adams,M.D Acknowledgments Introduction Part One: Introducing Senior Cohousing 1. Taking Charge of the Rest of Your Life 2. Cohousing: An Old Idea—A Contemporary Approach 3. Senior Cohousing: A Proven Approach—A New Application Part Two: Senior Cohousing in Denmark : An Inside Look 4. Munksøgård: Strong Roots in Fertile Soil 5. Other Danish Senior Cohousing Communities: Otium,Gimle,Mariendalsvej, Korvetten Part Three: Creating a Senior Cohousing Community 6. Feasibility: DoWe Have a Project? 7. Study Group I: Aging Successfully/Aging in Place 8. Study Group II: The Participatory Design Process 9. Study Group III: Policy Part Four: The First Wave — Pioneering Senior Cohousing in America: The Beginnings of an American Movement 10.The First Wave 11.Where Do We Go From Here? Appendix A: Anne Glass: Research-Based Results,"Why Aging in Community?" Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions Appendix C: Economic Structures Appendix D: Universal Design Selected Bibliography Index About the Author

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis well-illustrated case study . . . will help students of permaculture, of sustainability, of earth regeneration and of integrated eco-social design. Prof. Declan Kennedy, Chairman, Advisory Board, gaiauniversity.org To ensure food security and restore the health of the planet, we need to move beyond industrial agriculture and return to the practice of small-scale, local farming. The Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm describes the creation of a sustainable food system through a detailed case study of the successful year-round organic market garden and permaculture design at Pennsylvania's Three Sisters Farm.At the heart of Three Sisters is its biosheltera solar greenhouse which integrates growing facilities, poultry housing, a potting room, storage, kitchen facilities, compost bins, a reference library and classroom area. The Bioshelter Market Garden examines how the bioshelter promotes greater biodiversity and is an energy efficient method of extending crop production through Pennsylvania's cold winter months. Both visionary and practical, this fully illustrated book contains a wealth of information on the application of permaculture principles. Some of the topics covered include: Design and management of an intensive market garden farm Energy systems and bio-thermal resources Ecological soil management and pest control Wetlands usage Solar greenhouse design and management Whatever your gardening experience and ambitions, this comprehensive manual is sure to inform and inspire.Darrell Frey's inspirational book gives you all you need to know to create an energy-saving, food-producing bioshelter . . . [It] covers everything you need to understand, build, or simply admire these important tools for sustainability. Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia's GardenTable of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Toward a Permanent Culture Prologue Book Outline Five Acres and Interdependence The Value of the Small-Scale Farm Creation of Sustainable Local Food Systems Integrated Systems: Permaculture Design Sustainability Concepts of Ecology Permaculture and Agriculture Farm Ecology Three Sisters Farm Resource Survey Season Extension Outreach Back to the Earth Chapter 2: Sustainable Food Systems : Safe, Healthful and SecureSustainability for Food Systems Food Safety and Public Awareness Food Security Chapter 3: Direct Marketing for a Small Farm Preparation Business Management Marketing Farm Products Outreach and Education Programs Chapter 4: The Permaculture Farm: Design Farm Design and Planning Site Analysis: The Land, the Community and the Environment Planning Season Extension Case Study: Design of Three Sisters Farm Sector Analysis Overlaying the Farm into the Landscape Bioshelter Wildlife at Three Sisters Farm: Many Neighbors Applied Observation Chapter 5: Energy Systems on the Farm Conservation Biothermal Resource Recovery Solar Photovoltaic Applications Chapter 6: Beyond Integrated Pest Control : Insects, Disease, Weeds and Other Pests Organic Methods Whole-systems Planning Ecological Pest Control Insects on the Farm Spiders on the Farm Design for Ecological Control Insects in the Bioshelter (and Other Creatures) Pests and Permaculture Chapter 7: The Market Garden Farm: Management The Spiral Garden The South Garden The East Garden The Southeast Garden The Pond Garden The West Garden Smaller Gardens Crops and Products Perennials The Farm Woodlot Managing Plant Interactions Chapter 8: Seasons of the Garden Winter Spring Summer Fall Bioshelter Maintenance Managing the Permaculture Landscape Planting Linda's Crop Profiles The Edible Flower Fungi Chapter 9: Bioshelter Defined and Designed The Bioshelter Defined Why Build A Bioshelter? Bioshelter Daydreams Bioshelter Design A Bioshelter for Three Sisters Farm Farm Design Chapter 10: Bioshelter Management Managing the Indoor Ecosystem — An Overview Gardener as Ecosystem Manager Bioshelter Management through the Seasons Other Aspects of Bioshelter Management From a Tiny Seed: Starting Seedlings Countless Bioshelter Possibilities Chapter 11: Compost and Biothermal Resources Harvesting Compost's Multiple Yields Traditional Uses of Biothermal Energy Compost and the NOP Biothermal Resources Composting Practices at Three Sisters Farm Chapter 12: Chickens in the Greenhouse Food Security Finding the Right Bird Chapter 13: Permaculture for Wetlands Lost Wetlands Care of the Earth Classes of Wetlands Basic Design Procedures Design for Wetlands Ponds The Pond at Three Sisters Farm and Nursery Chapter 14: Education on the Farm Benefits and Costs Three Sisters Farm Programs Chapter 15: Home Sweet Home Taking the Lessons Learned Back Home Epilogue: The Farm Ecosystem Evolves Feeling Part of the Cycle Biodiversity: Farm Community A Hopeful Enterprise Appendix A (to chapter 11): Applicable Regulations for Agricultural Composting n PennsylvaniavRelevant Pennsylvania DEP rules excerpted from "Agricultural Composting of Manures: Supplement to ManurevManagement for Environmental Protection," Appendix B (to chapter 11): Compost Calculations Compost Heat Gain and Loss Appendix C: Greenhouse Heat Dynamics: Figuring Solar Gain, Solar Storage, and Heat Loss Temperate Zone Wetland Plants Index About the Author

Read more less

Book Synopsis Sustainable building from the ground up - the pros and cons of the latest green and natural materials and technologies From foundation to finish, a wealth of information is available on sustainable construction methods-entire volumes have been published on individual green and natural building techniques. But with so many different ideas to choose from, there is no single resource that allows an owner or builder to quickly and objectively compare the merits of each system for their particular project. Making Better Buildings cuts through the hype and provides the unvarnished facts about the upsides and downsides of the most widely discussed materials and technologies. Drawing on the real-world experiences of designer/builders, this comparative guide systematically and comprehensively examines each approach in terms of: Cost, sourcing, labor intensity, and ease of construction Energy efficiency, embodied energy, and environmental impacts Availability/accessibility Viable applications and future potential. Each chapter is rounded out by a chart which summarizes the material in a quick and accessible manner. Whether you are an owner preparing to build a green or natural home, or a conventional contractor determined to integrate sustainable alternatives into your existing construction practices, this up-to-the minute resource will help you make the best decisions for your project, while meeting your energy, efficiency, budgetary, and site-specific needs. Trade Review"Making Better Buildings is essential reading for home builders, owner-builders, or anyone interested in hiring a contractor to build their green dream home. This book is full of useful, up-to-date, cutting edge information and is amazingly thorough and easy to read. It will help readers make the best decisions possible regarding energy efficiency, cost, durability, health, embodied energy, labor requirements, and so on. Quite possibly the most valuable book ever published on green building!" ---Dan Chiras, Ph.D., director, The Evergreen Institute and author, The Natural House, The New Ecological Home and The Solar House "Comparing contemporary building technologies based on criteria such as embodied energy or energy efficiency is a huge job -- a job that holds most contractors and owner-builders back from making informed choices. Chris Magwood has saved us all thousands of research hours with Making Better Buildings. This book is not only a tool for the builders of today, but is a marvelous textbook for the young, emerging building professionals of tomorrow." ---Emily Niehaus, Founding Director of Community Rebuilds "At last: clarity! There are more and more people all over the world who are discovering the joy and satisfaction of building for themselves with natural materials. Very few, however, are also able to teach, communicate and inspire those around them. Of that precious few, Chris Magwood is at the top of the list; his delight and mastery of the subject hums in every page. Whether you want a broad overview, or access to high-quality, practical information on specific subjects, this is the book for you." ---Bruce King, PE, Director, Ecological Building Network "If you're drilling deep into sustainable building and want more than superficial details, let Chris Magwood be your guide. Making Better Buildings will help builders and homeowners quantify the green building process, and better understand the impact of their decisions." ---Scott Gibson, Green Building Advisor "Chris Magwood's new book is exciting news for builders and homeowners everywhere! This includes people who haven't even heard yet of the ideas that Chris lays out with such accessible knowledge and clarity. As one of the most knowledgeable and experienced ecological builders in North America, practicality and efficiency is one of his prime concerns. As one of the leading natural builders in the world, his affordable ideas are offered for all scales, within his broad and creative vision." ---Mark Lakeman, Communitecture Architecture & Planning, and cofounder, The City Repair Project, Portland, OR "Based on Chris Magwood's considerable experience of sustainable buildings systems, this book provides invaluable guidance for builders, designers and those thinking of building their own home. Stripping away the hype, the book provides a rational and balanced assessment of alternative options for the major components of a building. It is particularly valuable since it includes a wide range of criteria such as cost, durability, code compliance and labour intensiveness together with environmental criteria, which make it a highly useful decision support tool for many sustainable building projects. Also, we are encouraged to get beyond the bickering about different systems at the "micro" level and to focus on the bigger picture, "macro" issues, when choosing building components and systems which will lead to significant change." ---Professor Mark Gorgolewski, Ryerson University "Making Better Buildings belongs in the library of every designer or builder in the green building business and should be read by every owner planning a new home. This is not simply green building -- this is the future of construction! Chris Magwood has clearly described the pros and cons of the most viable natural building techniques and places them in context to create a tool that is timeless. All of the systems reviewed have the promise of significantly reducing the environmental footprint of construction." ---Jeff Ruppert, P.E., structural and civil engineer, and publisher, The Last Straw Journal "Ever wondered about the many shades of green in Green Building? The book you hold in your hand not only walks you through the vast array of techniques, written by one of the worlds most experienced green builders and educators, it also provides you with all the information necessary to compose the shade of green which suits you best. The information gathered here about issues such as techniques, embodied energy, health aspects are unique in the world, and is guaranteed to make this book the leading reference book for environmentally concerned building planners for years to come. Excellent work." ---Max Vittrup Jensen, consultant, and director, PermaLot Centre of Natural Building "We're often asked to recommend books to guide people along the path to building their own natural home. The list of books is quite short, but with Making Better Buildings it just got one important book longer. " ---Oliver Swann, naturalhomes.org "This book is a must read for anyone trying to demystify the myriad of green building options. Chris Magwood packs this book with scientific data plus his unique hands-on experience. The result will leave every reader with a clear understanding of the benefits and challenges for a variety of super eco-friendly building methods." ---Sigi Koko, natural builder, and founder, Down to Earth DesignTable of ContentsThanks Author's note Foreword by David Eisenberg Introduction: Thinking about sustainable building How this book works 1 Foundations Building science for foundations Earthbag (or flexible form rammed earth) foundations Dry stone and mortared stone foundations Rammed earth tires (earthships) Helical pier, screwpile and screw pier foundations Wooden piers Poured concrete foundations Lightweight concrete masonry units (CMUs) Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks Durisol and Faswall insulated concrete forms (ICFs) What about rubble trenches? Combination foundations What's not included in this chapter Pressure treated wood foundations Concrete slab foundations 2 Walls Building science basics for walls Wood frame construction Straw bale walls Cob walls Cordwood or stackwall Rammed earth walls Compressed earth block (CEB) walls Adobe block walls Foundations as walls Cotton batt insulation Straw/clay, straw light clay or slipstraw insulation Hempcrete insulation Hemp batt insulation Perlite loose-fill insulation Mineral wool insulation Cementitious foam insulation Wool batt insulation Cellulose insulation (wet-sprayed and dry-blown) Other insulation materials What's not included in this chapter 3 Floor and roof structure Building science basics for floor structures Building science basics for roof structures Wood framing Wooden trusses Wooden I-beams Finger-jointed wood trusses Glulam roof and floor framing Open web steel joists Timber framing and post and beam Conical grain bin roofs Slab-based floors 4 Sheathing and cladding materials Building science basics for exterior cladding and sheathing Building science basics for interior sheathing Clay or earthen plaster Wood plank sheathing and cladding Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing Gypsum board, drywall or plaster board sheathing Magnesium oxide board Fired clay brick cladding Lime and lime/cement plaster Stone cladding Roof sheathing materials as wall sheathing 5 Roof sheathing Building science basics for roof sheathing Metal roofing Cedar shake and shingles Thatch roofs Slate Composite shingles Green roofs/living roofs Clay tile roofing 6 Flooring Building science basics for flooring Clay or earthen floors Hardwood flooring Softwood flooring Engineered wood floors Tile flooring Linoleum Bamboo flooring Cork flooring Concrete flooring 7 Surface finishing materials Building science basics for finishes Clay or earthen finish plaster Lime finish plaster Milk paint Clay paint and alise Lime wash and lime paint Silicate paint Acrylic (latex) paint Natural oil paint Natural oils and waxes Natural wallpaper and wall covering 8 Windows 9 Water systems Water sources Surface water Well water Rainwater catchment Desalinated water Pumps Filters Water treatment systems Piping 11 Wastewater systems Municipal wastewater treatment Septic systems Composting toilets 12 Heating and cooling systems Means of heat production Means of heat delivery Passive solar heating Solar hydronic heating Solar hot air heating Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) Air source heat pumps (ASHP) Tankless or on-demand heaters Tank or batch heaters Forced-air furnaces Wood and pellet stoves Masonry heaters 13 Electrical generation Photovoltaic power Wind turbines Micro-hydro turbines Conclusion People make better buildings Appendix Inventory of carbon and energy (ICE) summary Index About the author

Read more less

Book SynopsisStep-by-step instructions to build your own beautiful, environmentally friendly, healthy natural home.Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhy build a natural home ?• The authentic food/authentic home analogy• our impacts and responsibilities• appropriate response and design• alternative building methods and materials• conventional vs. regenerative living• myths and realities• history of light clay constructionSite Selection• cultural history of site selection• modern day health concerns• ecological site designs• natural climate control• regenerating the landscape• food and shelterEcoNest: a Family of Design and Building Strategies Applying the Principles of Building Biology in the design, construction and occupation of a home:a. Recognizing nature as the gold standard for a healthy indoor environment.b. Design for Health and Ecology; • History of use • non-toxic choices• natural materials• maintaining hygroscopicity• natural lighting• proportion• size• beauty• sacred space• relationship to nature• adaptability• flexible space• color in accordance with nature• maintaining a healthy balance of humidity• a healthy electro-climate c. Recognizing the role of the craftsman in enriching the lives of all who dwell within.• Modern day precedents for building craft revival• Why we teach others, • Building the Builder, Craftsmanship Leadership and teamwork• Design for the temperate climate zonesHome Owners Guide to the design process• Initiating a legacy• Working with a design professional• Phases of design• Making a thousand choices and staying sane!• Putting it all in perspective Foundation Systems “ a good pair of boots”• The role of the foundation in the health and longevity of the building• drainage issues• height of foundation• reduction of concrete• rubble trench construction• wood insulated concrete formsThe Timberframe• About the sustainable use of wood• ecology and re-useabiltiy of timber framing• framing terms and concepts• European vs. Japanese Frame Construction Styles• plan• layout• encoding• cutting• assembly• raising the frameThe EcoNest Clay Straw Wall System• Wall terms and concepts• Site analysis and staging for efficient production• Scaffolding, circulation, site safetyFramework• Load-bearing and non-load-bearing Larsen trusses• Larsen truss layout• Planning for future interior attachments• Incorporating mechanical and electrical systems Formwork• Interior face and exterior face forming• Building a leap form• Door + window framing and insulationProduction • . Testing soil for clay content• Choosing the straw• Mixing• Variation of densities in accordance with wall orientationDelivery• Making hoppers• Materials handling and deliveryFilling• Placing and tamping clay straw• Horizontal reinforcing• Topping off the wall• Removing and re-using the formworkDrying and Prepping for Finish• • Accelerated drying techniques• Chinking and creating an air tight envelope• Other delivery techniques (sidebar about crane delivery)The Roof System• the “good hat” concept• roofing terms and concepts• form• calculations• truss roof process• roof details• roof ventilation• insulating the roof• alternative insulation materialsExterior Finishes• exterior skin comparisons• exterior earth plaster• exterior lime plaster• Keim treatments• wood siding• vented rain screensCrafting the Interiors• plaster ceilings• ceiling finishes• the mandala ceiling construction• wood ceilings• plaster wall finishes• partition walls• mass interior walls• framed walls• shoji screens and pockets for shoji screens• cabinetry construction and selection• attaching cabinetry to the walls• nichos• doors• floor systems, alternatives to concrete• earthen floors• wood floors Natural and Mechanical Systems for energy efficient, year round comfort• passive heating and cooling strategies for a temperate climate• decreasing or eliminating dependence mechanical systems• power + electrical considerations• day lighting and artificial lighting• water collection, storage, purification and drinking• plumbing considerations• heating with fuel• masonry heaters• cooling and the 4 strategiesPortfolioSeveral new EcoNest Case studiesAppendicesa. general construction guidelinesb. New Mexico construction guidelinesc. State of Oregon Reach Codec. Sources of information: books + websitesd. Architects and builders guidee. Material suppliers

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to building green on any budget.According to conventional wisdom, building a green home is an expensive endeavor. The standard approach treats green as an add-on, tacking premium products, finishes, and equipment onto a traditional home design. As a result, many green home projects end up over budget or fail to achieve their environmental and performance goals.Green Home Building explodes the myth that green homes have to cost more. Using proven methods based on applied building science, the authors show how to: Lower base construction costs to provide funding for high performance upgrades Achieve a net-zero energy home, including zero-ing water, waste, carbon, and associated costs within fifteen years Live affordably into the future, despite anticipated rising costs for fuel, water, materials, taxes, and health care This comprehensive guide to building green on any budget defines the strategies that maximize the return on green investments. Written for anyone who has ever been swayed by the argument that the price tag limits how green a home can be, Green Home Building is a must-read for builders, contractors, architects, designers, and homeowners.Miki Cook is a green building and sustainability consultant who has dedicated her career to educating contractors and the public on the strategies, methods, and benefits of green homes.Doug Garrett has trained thousands of homebuilders, architects, and sub-contractors to build energy-efficient homes using applied building science to improve comfort, durability, and healthfulness while meeting or exceeding the energy code.Table of ContentsForeword by Sarah GuttermanIntroductionWe're All Green with EnvyWhat Is a Green Home?How Can I Build an Affordable Green Home? section one: Show Me the Money1. Location, Location, LocationSmart GrowthAnalyzing Your Building SiteOther Considerations for Site SelectionPayback on This Investment 2. Size MattersAssessing Your NeedsPaybacks on Right-Sizing Your Home 3. Design, Design, Design: Everything You Need to Know 1. Designing for Your Site2. Designing for Passive Systems3. Designing for Resource EfficiencyPayback On Design Elements 4. Building Products and Materials: Shades of GreenGlobal CitizensBuilding Product ResearchSelecting Building MaterialsHow We Use Building MaterialsPaybacks: Return on Investment for Building Materials: The Real Cost of Housing 5. Construction Waste: The 8,000-Pound Gorilla of Cost SavingsMoney in the DumpsterThree Strategies for Waste ReductionPayback: Return on Investment for Construction Waste Diversion Practices 6. Equipment and SystemsEfficiency RatingsHVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Cooling SystemsHot Water SystemsRainwater, Greywater and Onsite Sewage SystemsElectrical SystemsPaybacks: Return on Investment from High-efficiency System Upgrades 7. Health and EnvironmentToxinsStrategies for Improved Indoor Air QualityOther Health Concerns 8. Outdoor LivingDefining Your Outdoor Living SpacesLandscaping 9. Green BlingThe Modest Green HomeThe Mainstream Green HomeThe Custom Green HomeAvoid Wasting Money 10. Keeping It GreenPeriodic Maintenance and RepairsCommissioningLifestyle ChoicesProtecting Your HealthGreen MakeoversGreen Power Alternatives section two: Getting to Zero11. The Zero Energy Capable Home ModelNet Zero DefinedThe Typical American HomeOur Baseline HomeNet Zero Home Model 12. Net Zero WaterThe Water-Energy ConnectionWhere Does the Water Go?How Much Water Is AvailableCase StudiesHow Low Can You Go? 13. Zero WasteWaste Beyond the HouseholdWaste PreventionWaste DiversionThe Key to Making Changes in Your Life 14. Zero Your Carbon FootprintRevisiting Section One from a Carbon PerspectiveOur Carbon Reduction Plan 15. Zero Cost PremiumReducing Your Total Cost of OwnershipReducing Your Construction CostsHealthy and High PerformancePutting It All Together End NotesIndexAbout the Authors

Read more less

Book Synopsis What book would you want if you were stranded on a desert island? Widely regarded as the ''bible'' of off-grid living, The Solar Living Sourcebook might be your best choice. With over 600,000 copies in print worldwide, it is the most comprehensive resource available for anyone interested in lessening their environmental footprint and increasing their energy independence. The Solar Living Sourcebook-14th Edition is the ultimate guide to renewable energy, sustainable living, natural and green building, off-grid living and alternative transportation, written by experts with decades of experience and a passion for sharing their knowledge. This fully revised and updated edition includes brand new sections on permaculture and urban homesteading, and completely rewritten chapters on solar technology, sustainable transportation and relocalization. It also boasts greatly expanded material on: Natural Building Permaculture and biodynamics Trade ReviewThe essential guide to energy independence -- fully revised and updated "...an owner's manual for regenerating our earth, skies and water... a masterwork on rehabitation...the best manual you could possibly want." ---Paul Hawken, Project Drawdown, and author, Blessed Unrest "...I have always recommended the Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook as the #1 source, indeed the Bible, for all things solar and sustainable. Bravo to the 14th edition, it's the best one yet!"---Ed Begley Jr., actor, environmental activist "...the best single source I've ever found on the technologies, philosophies, and the lifestyle changes we must embrace in order for our species to survive and thrive into the future." ---Woody Harrelson, environmentalist, actor "...the most comprehensive, enlightening & entertaining resource in the world...an indispensable resource on the bookshelf of anyone seriously interested in helping save our habitat."---Bryan Welch, publisher, Mother Earth News, and author, Beautiful and Abundant: Building the World We Want "This masterful compendium pulls it all together and gives everyone what we need to get off the grid and democratize clean energy." ---Kenny Ausubel, CEO and founder, Bioneers ... Regularly updated since 1982, John Schaeffer's Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook is the definitive guide to renewable energy, sustainable living, alternative transportation, natural and green building, homesteading, energy conservation and off-grid living. This completely revised 14th edition, written by experts with decades of hands-on experience, contains expanded information on permaculture, biodynamics, the Transition Movement, urban homesteading and emergency preparedness--plus maps, wiring diagrams, formulae, charts, electrical code specs/regulations/requirements, solar sizing worksheets and much more. Whether you're a layperson or a professional, novice or longtime aficionado, the Sourcebook puts the latest research and information at your fingertips; everything you need to know to make sustainable living a reality. With over 600,000 copies in print worldwide, it is the most comprehensive resource available for anyone interested in lessening his/her environmental footprint and increasing energy independence. ... "This book is our blueprint for both the present and future, if our species is to survive into the 22nd century."---Thom Hartmann, NY Times bestselling author and talk show host "Buy this book. It can change your life for the better. And the world, too."---Denis Hayes, President, Bullitt Foundation "John is a sustainability and solar industry pioneer...his visionary actions and ideas [are] good news for our environment, economy, and national security."---Nat Kreamer, chairman, Solar Energy Industries Association, White House Champion of Change, and CEO, Clean Power Finance "Here in one book is everything you need... a treasure trove you'll find yourself returning to time and again."---Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute and author, The End of Growth "...[this is] the key text of the greatest economic change the world will experience this century, creating jobs and clean energy for a prosperous and sustainable global community."---Danny Kennedy, cofounder, Sungevity and SfunCube, and author, Rooftop Revolution ... John Schaeffer is the founder of Real Goods--the foremost global source for tools and information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable living. Since 1978, through Real Goods, he has pioneered solar technology in North America, providing over 150 MW of solar power and helping to solarize over 18,000 homes ... To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE RGS ENERGY CEO FOREWORD: by Bill McKibben INTRODUCTION: by John Schaeffer, Real Goods Founder Chapter 1: RELOCALIZATION: A Strategic Response to Peak Oil and Climate Change Ecological Economics Overshoot Peak Oil and Implications for a Transportation-Dependent Economy Climate Change and the Need to Eliminate Fossil Fuels Relocalization: A Strategic Response to Overshoot Approaching Social Change Pioneering Solar Down on the Farm Chapter 2: LAND AND SHELTER: Designing and Building Your Green Dream Home The Impacts of Modern Building Passive Survivability Strategies for a Responsive Home Renovations and Development Building a New Home Passive Solar Design: A Primer Building Technologies The Healthy Home Your Home, Your Choice Words of Wisdom from Real Goods Staffers and Colleagues Spirit of the Sun Chapter 3: SUNSHINE TO ELECTRICITY: Creating Renewable Energy with Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power What Are Photovoltaic Cells? Sixty Years of Photovoltaics System Examples PV Racking Wind and Hydro Power Sources Hydroelectricity Wind Energy Wind Energy and Wind Turbines - What You Need To Consider to Make a Decision Hydrogen Fuel Cells Chapter 4: FROM PANEL TO PLUG: How to Get Your Renewable Energy Source Powering Your Appliances A Renewable Energy System Primer: Putting It All Together Off-grid and Battery Backup System Sizing Worksheets Grid-tied Systems Converting Sunshine into Electricity What's the Payback? Safety and Fusing Charge Controllers Monitors Large Storage Batteries Real Goods' Battery Troubleshooting Guide Common Battery Questions and Answers Real Goods' Battery Care Class Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers Frequently Asked Questions About Rechargeable Batteries Inverters Potential Problems with Modified Sine Wave Inverter Use - and How to Correct Them Potential Problems with ALL Inverters - and How to Correct Them Inverter Conclusions Wire, Adapters, and Outlets Wire Sizing Chart/Formula RGS Energy Solar Project Case Study: Ironhouse Sanitary District RGS Energy Solar Project Case Study: Little Quittacas Solar Farm Chapter 5: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND SOLAR MOBILITY: Be Empowered When the Grid Goes Down Want Some Protection, or at Least a Little Backup? How About Total Freedom? Steps to a Practical Emergency Power System What Do You Really Need in an Emergency? Conclusion Chapter 6: ENERGY CONSERVATION: Superefficient Lighting, Heating,and Cooling Are the First Steps Living Well but Inexpensively It All Starts with Good Design Retrofitting: Making the Best of What You've Got Conserving Electricity House Heating and Cooling Home Cooling Systems Energy-efficient Appliances Superefficient Lighting Lighting Characteristics Light Technology Chapter 7: WATER DEVELOPMENT: Reckoning with Our Most Precious and Endangered Resource The Three Components of Every Water System Solar-Powered Pumping Real Goods' Homestead Plumbing Recommendations Friction Loss Charts for Water Pumping Chapter 8: WATER HEATING: The Most Cost-effective Solar Alternative Common Water Heater Types Solar Water Heaters Types of Solar Water Heating Systems: Operation and Installation Chapter 9: WATER AND AIR PURIFICATION: Clean Water and Air Are Human Rights! The Need for Water Purification Methods of Water Filtration and Purification Air Purification Resources Chapter 10: COMPOSTING TOILETS AND GREYWATER SYSTEMS: Novel, Safe, and Clean Solutions to an Age-old Human Issue Reclaiming Valuable Resources What Is a Composting Toilet? Greywater Systems Chapter 11: REGENERATIVE HOMESTEADING AND FARMING: Growing Your Own Organically Using the Permaculture Principles While Living the Good Life Permaculture: A Holistic Design System for Your Site Biodynamic® Agriculture: Food and the Cosmos Biodynamic Preparations Resources Chapter 12: URBAN HOMESTEADING: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living Urban Permaculture Practice Gardening in the Urban Habitat Animals on the Urban Homestead Remaking Our Relationship to Food The Heirloom Kitchen Skills Natural Building Powering Down Greywater and Rainwater Use Waste Personal Ecology Resources Chapter 13: SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION: Toward a Future of Carbon-free Mobility The Problem with Fossil Fuels The Problem with Today's Motor Vehicles Hybrids and Other Low-emission Vehicles Biodiesel, Ethanol, and Other Biofuels Electric Vehicles Futuristic Vehicles? Chapter 14: NATURAL BURIAL: The Ultimate Back-to-the-land Movement Dying to Do the Right Thing When It's Time, Will You "Leave No Trace"? Cemetery Stewardship's Triple Bottom Line Crafting the Fond Farewell: It Takes a Plan What You Need for a Natural Burial A Place to Go Last Acts That Make a Difference: How Your Support of Environmentally Friendly Products Can Turn an Industry Around Chapter 15: THE REAL GOODS' SUSTAINABLE LIVING LIBRARY: Reading for a Renewable Future Garden, Farm, Food, and Community Land and Shelter Renewable Energy in Theory and Practice Building Types and Materials Peak Oil, Relocalization, and Politics Water Development References and Resources APPENDIX Part I: Who We Are and How We Got Here Part II: Living the Dream: The Real Goods Solar Living Center Part III: Spreading the Word: The Solar Living Institute Part IV: Getting Down to Business System Sizing Worksheets Power Consumption Table Solar Insolation Maps Solar Insolation by US City Magnetic Declination Charts in the United States Battery Wiring Diagrams Wire Sizing Chart/Formula Friction Loss Charts for Water Pumping Temperature Conversions Nominal Pipe Size Versus Actual Outside Diameter for Steel and Plastic Pipe The Real Goods' Resource List State Energy Offices Access Information Glossary ENDNOTES INDEX

Read more less

Book Synopsis The essential guide to prefab straw bale panels - an innovative spin on a widely used natural building method Prefabricated straw bale wall panels combine the performance and low environmental impact of traditional straw bale with reduced labor and more consistent results. These structural insulated panels (SIPs) are built offsite and transported to the job site, or built onsite and tipped up into position. Essential Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, scalable method. This indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to the use of prefabricated bale walls, packed with all the information you need to determine whether they are the right choice for your project. It covers: Specifications, engineering details and building code references Comprehensive step-by-step instructions and detail drawings Finishing and maintenance techniques Trade Review...Hemp as a building material is one of the most important uses of this plant. Essential Hempcrete Construction explains this new technology in a clear and concise manner. With this information anyone wanting to use this material will have a great starting point. ---Steve Allin, Director, International Hemp Building Association and author, Building with Hemp In a field that is often beset with more wishful thinking than honest appraisal, Essential Hempcrete Construction stands out as a well-researched in investigation into the potential and promise of hemp-lime systems in the contemporary built-environment. ---Tim Callahan, co-author of Building Green and founding partner at Alembic Studio, LLC Hempcrete/hemp-lime construction is one of the simplest and most effective and affordable solutions for sustainable, healthy and energy efficient building available to mainstream builders and self-help enthusiasts alike. Magwood has years of experience of natural building and sound construction practice so this book provides excellent, well-illustrated, guidance." ---Tom Woolley, author, Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality; Low Impact Building; and Hemp-Lime Construction Essential Hempcrete Construction is an informative and easy to read guide/instruction manual to building with hemp-lime. Magwood has been able to simplify the data for us and compare costs to other conventional building materials, he has also managed to keep it brief and to-the-point so as to quickly help us make an informed decision to build with hemp-lime or not. This book is a time (and money) saver - worth every penny. ---Greg Flavall, Hemp Technologies Collective Essential Hempcrete Construction is an exciting manual for homeowners, building teachers, building officials and contractors. Filled with photos and drawings that help all of us make choices that are ultimately going to support long lasting buildings. Solid and fun to read. ---Sukita Reay Crimmel, coauthor, Earthen Floors Chris Magwood has combined his deep understanding of building science with some fortuitous hands-on experience of working with hempcrete to craft this timely and detailed guide to the essentials of hempcrete construction. By simply mixing the lightweight core of hemp stalks (an agricultural byproduct) with lime it is possible to make an insulating material that can handle moisture without decomposing, has good structural qualities and thermal performance, is nontoxic and fire resistant, naturally sequesters carbon, and is ultimately completely recyclable. With the successful use of hempcrete in Europe for over a decade, hopefully this book will help usher in a new era of industrial hemp production in North America. ---Kelly Hart Chris Magwood's easy-to-read, thoughtful, and practical book on building with hempcrete is a must-have for my work as a designer and builder focused on resilient, natural, and low carbon construction. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, practical solutions are needed now to lower our collective ecological impact as a building trade. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a critical tool in our toolkits. ---Ace McArleton, coauthor, The Natural Building Companion, and cofounder, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build LLCTable of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Rationale Chapter 3: Material Properties and Appropriate Use Chapter 4: Building Science Notes Chapter 5: Material Specifications Chapter 6: Design Options for S-SIPs Chapter 7: Design Notes Chapter 8: Construction Procedure Chapter 9: Installation Chapter 10: Tilt-up Construction Chapter 11: Finishing Installed Walls Chapter 12: Maintenance and Renovations Chapter 13: Building Codes and Permits Chapter 14: Tools Chapter 15: Conclusion Glossary Resources Appendix: Engineering with Straw Bale Panels in Canada Index About the Author

Read more less

Book SynopsisDreamers, owner-builders, natural and sustainable building contractors, modern homesteadersCordwood construction - log-ends set in insulated mortar - is a versatile, economical, low-impact, and beautiful building method. And while cordwood construction's durability and performance has been proven in beautiful, centuries-old buildings in North America and Europe, there has been no trusted, practical and comprehensive book on cordwood construction methods using cordwood in a wide variety of cordwood masonry construction projects. Distilling decades of experience, best practices, and innovations in cordwood construction, Essential Cordwood Building is the first fully illustrated, step-by-step comprehensive book on cordwood construction. Ideal for the DIYer, professional designer, and builder alike, this comprehensive book on cordwood construction covers: Wood species selection, log-end length, and seasoning New mortar oTrade ReviewBy far the most comprehensive book ever written on cordwood construction. Fact-filled, richly illustrated, and full of experience-based advice, this is the only book you'll need if you are interested in this planet-friendly, simple, low cost, and artistic construction technique. --Lloyd Kahn, author of the Shelter Series of Building Books, including Shelter, Home Work, and Tiny Homes Cordwood Building hits the proverbial nail on the head with its thorough investigation of this sustainable practice. Rich in hands-on practicality, replete with attractive case studies and loaded with eye-catching photos, the reader is invited inside the pages, to have a look-around. This tome should be on the must read list for anyone contemplating cordwood construction. --Richard Flatau, author, Cordwood Construction Best Practices and Director at Cordwood Construction Resources As keeper of the cordwood masonry flame, Rob Roy has devoted his 40-year career to the conscientious evolution of this unique building method. Champion of the owner-builder and defender of dollar-wise construction, his careful documentation of step-by-step procedure, user-friendly formulas, and ongoing development in the field combine to make this revised and updated edition an invaluable reference for the curious and serious alike. --Richard Freudenberger, Resource Manager at Living Web Farms and former Publisher of BackHome Magazine. I wholeheartedly recommend this new edition of Rob Roy's classic book on Cordwood Building, which I consider to be one of the foremost techniques for furthering the cause of sustainable architecture. Not only do the results look naturally gorgeous, but the walls provide good insulation and thermal mass, without the need for further treatment once they are assembled. Couple this with the fact that the building process is easily learned and utilizes marginal wood unsuitable for other construction, and you have an outstanding system that is fully explained in Rob Roy's comprehensive book. --Kelly Hart, founder, greenhomebuilding.com If anybody knows cordwood, it's Rob Roy, who's been at the center of this expanding movement for more than two decades, experimenting, innovating and living within his creations. His comprehensive, practical guide Cordwood Building explores the nitty gritty of cordwood "how to", lessons learned, and innovations like cob mortar, paper-enhanced mortar, and bottle ends. A traditional building method for more than a millennium, modern cordwood homes pass building codes and introduce building science to the "hobbit way of building", and Rob Roy's in depth book addresses air infiltration, vapor barriers, discussions of mass and insulation, and even electrical wiring. Practical and thrifty, Cordwood Building is on the cutting edge of "mortgage free" thinking, inspiring do-it-yourself tiny homes that utilize affordable materials, and offer a beautiful aesthetic. --Catherine Wanek, author/photographer, The Hybrid House, co-editor, The Art of Natural Building, and co-founder of Builders Without BordersTable of Contents Acknowledgments Prologue: History of Cordwood Masonry The Origin of Cordwood Contruction by William H. Tishler An Old Cordwood House Near Stockholm by Olle Lind Historical Variations by Olle Hagman Our Personal History by Rob Roy Introduction What is Cordwood Building? But Why Build with Cordwood? How? PART 1: CORDWOOD BASICS 1. Three Cordwood Masonry Styles Cordwood Infilling Within a Strong Timber Frame Cordwood as Curved Load-bearing Walls Cordwood with Stackwall Corners Door Frames Summation 2. The Wood What Kind or Species of Wood Is Best? How Long Should the Wood Dry? Should I Bark (or “Debark” — Means the Same Thing) the Wood? How Much Wood Should I Cut? How Thick Should the Walls Be in a Cordwood Home? How Should I Cut the Wood? Split Wood or Round Log-ends? Can I Mix Species of Wood in the Same Wall? 3. Building Cordwood Walls 101 The Mortar Insulation Options Building a Cordwood Wall Window Bucks Pointing Cleaning the Log-ends 4. Building with Cordwood 202 Wood Expansion Wood Shrinkage after the Build Mortar Cracks When Everything Shrinks — A Solution Building Thicker Cordwood Walls Within a Timber Frame Time Efficiency Stand Back from the Wall PART 2: THE NEW STATE OF THE ART 5. Is Cordwood Green? Sustainability Leaving Little Impact on the Planet Low Embodied Energy Energy Efficiency The Healthy Home So, Is Cordwood Masonry Green? 6. Double-wall Cordwood by Cliff Shockey and Rob Roy Introduction Solar Design Foundations and Under-floor Radiant Heat The Double-wall Cordwood Technique The Evolution of Double-wall Cordwood 7. Foam Insulation with Cordwood Open Cell Foam Soy-Based Foam Foam Insulation with Single-wall Cordwood 8. Bottle-ends and Other Design Features Making Bottle-ends Creating Bottle-end Designs Design Features at Mushwood 9. Electrical Wiring in Cordwood Masonry Buildings by Paul Mikalauskas, Mike Abel and Rob Roy Wiring Mushwood 10. Lime Putty Mortar by Rob Roy and Bruce Kilgore A Short History Lime Putty Mortar Versus Portland-based Mortar Making Lime Putty and Lime Putty Mortar Pay Attention to Detail 11. Cobwood Revisited Cobwood at Earthwood Our Latest Cobwood Wall Building To Summarize 12. Paper-enhanced Mortar by Jim Juczak, Alan Stankevitz, Tom Huber and Rob Roy Papercrete, or Paper-enhanced Mortar (PEM) My Paper-enhanced Mortar Cellulose-enhanced Mortar Paper-enhanced Mortar Observations 13. Cedar Eden: Design Considerations by Tom Huber The Pattern that Connects Place-based Design Considerations for Cold Climates The Hobbit Way of Homesteading A Cabin with Four Doors Intentional Patterns — The Nature of Order; Building as Sacred Practice Retreat from the World 14. Cordwood-to-mortar Ratio: An Analysis Consistency in Cordwood Build Quality Varying Wood-to-mortar Ratios Impact of Wood-to-mortar Ratio 15. Cordwood Cutoff Table for a Chainsaw by Rob Roy and Bruce Kilgore Fabrication Skills Needed You Will Also Need The Frame PART 3: CASES STUDIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD 16. The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership by Studio Gang Architects Why Wood Masonry? Learning from the Experts Playing by the Rules Thermal and Structural Constraints Pushing the Limits with Digital Tools Mixing It Up Not the End 17. My Cordwood Construction Evolution by Geoff Huggins Cordwood Constants. . .and Why Cordwood Embellishments. . .and Why 18. Adirondack Cordwood Cabin by Rarilee Conway (with James Conway) If I Was to Do It Again 19. Ravenwood: A Labor of Love in Northern New York by Bruce Kilgore (with Nancy Dow) Our Cordwood Odyssey A Five-year Plan The Trisol Design Breaking Ground Racing to Get the Roof On Cordwooding Commences Closed In! What Worked. . .and Hard Lessons Learned 20. Hexadecagons in Hawaii and Tasmania with Peter Robey and Blythe Tait (and with help from Ben Oliveros) Builder Ben Australia's First Council-approved Cordwood Residence? 21. The Hermit's Hut Cultivating Coincidence Siliconized Sealer 22. La Casa del Trunco Cultivating a Coincidence in Nicaragua Solentiname's Cordwood Homestead The Cordwood Dorm Room When We Got Home PART 4: ECONOMICS AND CODE 23. The Mortgage-free Cordwood Home The Grubstake The Land The Temporary Shelter Keep It Small Keep It Simple Use Recycled Materials Work Parties The Add-on House Strategy 24. Getting a Building Permit for a Cordwood Home Part 1: An Engineering Viewpoint by Dr. Kris J. Dick, P.E. and Professor A. M. Lansdown Part 2: A Code Enforcement Officer's Viewpoint by Thomas M. Kwiatkowski Part 3: Other Cordwood Code Issues by Rob Roy Afterword: Where We Go From Here Annotated Cordwood Masonry Bibliography Glossary of Terms Appendix: Products Index About the Author A Note About the Publisher

Read more less

Book Synopsis Skyrocketing energy costs and constant reminders of the impacts of conventional energy sources are making homeowners and businesses look at different ways to use energy more efficiently and to generate their own electricity to reduce fuel bills and their carbon footprint. Power From the Wind is the completely revised and updated edition of the go-to guide for individuals and businesses interested in installing small wind energy systems. Written for the layperson, this practical guide provides an accurate and unbiased view of all aspects of small wind energy systems, including: Wind and wind energy system options Ways to assess wind resources at your site Wind turbines and towers Inverters and batteries Installation and maintenance of systems Costs and benefits of installing a wind system. Readers will gain the knowledge they need to make wise decisions during the design, purchase

Read more less

Book Synopsis Down and dirty a complete step-by-step guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors Poor heat and moisture management are the enemies of durable, comfortable, and efficient housing, and good building design and construction starts with a solid understanding of good building science. Essential Building Science provides a highly visual and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of building science for residential construction. Part one covers the rationale behind high-performance design and the fundamentals of building physics, including thermal dynamics, moisture transfer, and hygro-thermal dynamics such as vapor drive and condensation. Part two teaches the vital critical thinking skills needed to consider buildings as whole systems and to develop thermal and moisture control strategies regardless of the specifics of the design. Case studies and examples from across North American climatic zoTable of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Part I: Rationale Chapter 1: Establishing Goals Part II: Fundamentals of Building Physics Chapter 2: Thermal Dynamics: Understanding Heat Loss and Gain Chapter 3: Moisture and Hygrothermal Dynamics Part III: Developing Strategies Chapter 4: Moisture Control Chapter 5: Thermal Control Chapter 6: Examples of Building Assemblies Chapter 7: Buildings As Whole Systems Endnotes Resources Index About the Author A Note About the Publisher

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisBuilding a Revolution, one handful at a time. In the face of widespread burnout and a world gone crazy, how do we find things to say yes to, rather than a resounding no? On North America''s West Coast, there''s a group of rebel women who ten years ago chose to break free from a rigged economic and social system. They didn''t take to the streets to lobby banks and governments to change their ways - they didn''t have time for that. They had babies to feed and house. They reckoned that if nobody else was going to change the rules to support basic human needs and respect the biosphere, then we are all free to make our own rules. They chose action. They decided to teach themselves how to build houses using the most abundant material on earth - mud. They''d learn by building, gathering skills and allies. They''d have fun, sharing whatever they learned with whoever wanted to come along for the ride. The Mudgirls revolution was born. Part story of rebel woTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction PART I: A HISTORY WRITTEN IN MUD Chapter 1: Our Ways of Building Guiding Principle: We mostly work with unprocessed natural and recycled materials to create and decorate beautiful and healthy structures that are earth friendly. Guiding Principle: We believe this work is so important that we cannot wait until we are all experts. No matter the level of experience, we value each individual for their contribution and abilities and believe strongly in skill-building on the worksite. We Went for It: Creating the World We Wanted to Live In The Measuring Tape: Skill-Building as a Priority. A Non-intimidating Approach to Building Fast, Cheap and Out of Control: Permits = Limits Messages from Mud: It's Not About How Much You Know, But How Much You Believe in What You're Doing Case Studies: Ray and Soozie's Place; Measure Twice, Think Three Times, Cut Once, Because Chainsaws Are Forever Chapter 2: Women's Work Guiding Principle: We are a women's collective and seek to empower ourselves with employment and the skills to build homes. No Boys Allowed: Why We Chose (and Still Choose) An All-woman Crew We Play With Dollies: Work Smarter Not Harder Our Heroines: Other Women that Are Rockin' the Natural Building World and Shattering the Status Quo: Athena Steen, Liz Johndrow, and Becky Bee We Love Dudes: And Dudes Love Us Case Studies: Chris's Contribution; Set the Men Free; No, Really, She's Doing It; Contribution from Todd Turik (One Man Among Many Women) Chapter 3: Rethinking Work Guiding Principle: We are a collective that is human friendly: we recreate our concepts of work to prioritize respect and care for our hearts, our bodies, and our children while we work together. We create a work environment that nurtures us. Large and in Charge: The Empowerment Inherent in Working for Oneself It's Our Worksite, and We'll Cry If We Want To: Allowing Space for Emotions, Needs, and Limitations on the Worksite Bigger Isn't Always Better: Dealing with the Expectations of of Conventional "Efficiency" Versus the Efficiencies Long-term Learning, Safety, Skill-sharing, and Community-building Baby, I Like It Raw: Maintaining the Connection with Raw Materials and Raw Power Case Studies: Ode to the Old: Hand Tools and Handy Elders Soul Food: Nurturing Our Bodies Recipies: Smoked Tofu Potato Salad; Bethany's Rice Pudding; Coconut Curried Lentils; Energy Balls Chapter 4: Caring for the Children Guiding Principle: All our events are child and parentfriendly with quality childcare always provided. Our Kids Are Your Kids: A Better Model for the Greater Good Take Your Child to Work Day, Every Day: Why Mandatory, Built-in Childcare Makes Sense, and Why It's Not Always Perfect The Children of the Revolution: Children as Active Members of the Community Case Studies: How the Inner Child Schooled the Adult Attitude: Youth Facilitation as a Non-parent; That One Time I Almost Lost My Kids and My Mind, and the Silly Play That Saved Us All; Life After Motherhood; Participant/Mother Contribution Chapter 5: Rethinking "Business" Guiding Principle: We seek to do our business in a non-capitalist spirit. We keep the cost of natural building affordable by keeping our wages low, offering our workshops for barter, building for low-income people as much as we can. Ménage à Trois: The Breakdown of Our Workshop Structure How Much Is Too Much?: The Quest to Practice Sustainable Idealism Who Needs Money When There's Mud Everywhere?: A Low Income Plus Resourcefulness Equals Creative Power Client-friends and Friend-clients: Keeping a Healthy Building Relationship Without Contracts Case Studies: Molly's House; Trade Ya a Small House for a Website? Chapter 6: Who's the Boss? Guiding Principle: We are structured non-hierarchically. Each member is equally valued and has equal say in decision-making. Guiding Principle: We use the teachings of Compassionate Communication to create a peaceful, mutually respectful, and revolutionarily harmonious group process. The Internal Workings of The Mudgirls: How We Make Decisions Don't Tell Me What to Do Mycorrhiza: A Symbiosis Inspired by Nature Keeps the Collective Rollin' Case Studies: The Voice of Dissent, and How We Hate to Love It; A Model of Our (Ideal) Steps to Resolve Conflict Chapter 7: Building a Revolution Guiding Principle: We work together to create this collective as we go, nurturing the creative and inventive and courageously open to the process of transformation. Build It and They Will Come: The Search for Other Ways of Living Don't Muddy the Waters: Trying to Live by Example Case Studies: Our Collective's Babies: Mudmob in Australia and The Good Earth Builders PART II: THANKS TIPS! (PRACTICAL BUILDING MATTERS) Chapter 8: Materials and Tools Clay Sourcing Tips How to Test Your Clay Sand, Sand, and Sand Fiber Lumber Mud Tools Woodworking Tools What Trowel to Use and Why Chapter 9: Recipes Clay Paint Recipes That Work Paint #1 Paint #2 Pigment Adhesion Coats Lime Water, Lime Wash Starch Paste (Wheat Paste) Plasters Manure Plaster Clay Plaster Lime Plaster Chapter 10: Tips to Success (We Screwed Up and Learned Stuff) Dry Stack Rock Foundation Tips Dry Stack Rock Foundations for Straw Bale Walls How to Fix Cracks Why Cob Walls Fall Wall Systems Pros and Cons Build Your House in Ten Steps! Endnotes Index About the Author A Note about the Publisher

Read more less

Book SynopsisHack the Grid documents a series of large-scale light installations produced in Pittsburgh by New Mexicobased environmental artist Andrea Polli (born 1968), using the city's long history of energy and industry to interrogate issues from particulate pollution to wind power.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIncludes hundreds of photographic examples of buildings, public places, streets, rooms and gardens, most built by Alexander and his colleagues, in a great variety of cultures, showing how buildings and details governed by living process will be connected to human feeling, and what shape they must have.Trade Review'This monumental work is the long awaited outcome of Christopher Alexander's reflections since the 1970s. No recent writer, I think, has viewed architecture so broadly, setting it in the context of all human making and living, and even of biology, cosmology and particle physics.' - Richard Padovan, The Architectural Review 'Alexander has a wonderful eye for the work of vernacular builders and anonymous artists.' - Richard Padovan, The Architectural ReviewTable of ContentsPart 1 1. Our Belonging to the World: Part One 2. Our Belonging to the World: Part Two Part 2 3. The Hulls of Public Space 4. The Form of Public Buildings 5. Production of Giant Projects 6. The Positive Pattern of Space and Volume in Three Dimensions of the Land 7. Positive Space in Structure and Materials 8. The Character of Gardens Part 3 9. Forming a Collective Vision for a Neighbourhood 10. Reconstruction of an Urban Neighbourhood 11. High Density Housing 12. Further Dynamics of a Growing Neighbourhood Part 4 13. The Uniqueness of People's Individual Worlds 14. The Character of Rooms Part 5 15. Construction Elements as Living Centers 16. All Building as Making 17. Active Invention of New Building Techniques Part 6 18. Ornament as a Part of All Unfolding 19. Color which Unfolds from the Configuration Epilogue: The Morphology of Living Architecture

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less