Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods

By Lynne Elizabeth

Book Overview

The first comprehensive guide to combining traditional natural materials and modern construction methods. From adobe to straw bales, traditional building materials are being adapted to meet code-required standards for health and safety in contemporary buildings around the world. Not only are they cost effective and environmentally friendly, but, when used correctly, these natural alternatives match the strength and durability of many mainstream construction materials. This book examines a broad range of traditional and modern natural construction methods, including straw-bale, light-clay, cob, adobe, rammed earth and pise, earthbag, earth-sheltered, bamboo, and hybrid systems. It also covers key ecological design principles, as well as current engineering and building code requirements. Experts on each building system have contributed core chapters that explore the history, development, climatic appropriateness, environmental benefits, performance characteristics, construction techniques, and structural design principles for each method. More than 200 visuals depict both construction processes and completed structures. An extensive resource guide shows where to go for further information, training, and research. In an increasingly resource-conscious era, alternative construction is truly an idea whose time has come. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or homeowner, this book will help you to combine indigenous building materials with modern construction systems and design standards to create low-impact, high-quality buildings that meet the highest levels of comfort, health, and safety.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471249513
• ISBN13: 9780471249511
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.1" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Very nice overview of options.

I haven't done anything but dream yet, but my friends borrowed the book and used it extensively in planning their passive solar home. Like others have mentioned it does not have explicit instructions for any of the buildings, but has enough information to help you choose your direction.

Alternative Construction

This is an excellent resource book for those seeking to learn more about alternative construction methods and materials. It introduces the reader to straw bale, cob, light straw clay (a marvelous material), rammed earth and many other ecologically appropriate materials. It doesn't provide enough detail to help you build with these materials but it will help you choose which might be good for you and guides you to some of the key people and resources. The chapter on natural conditioning of houses is outstanding and provides performance estimates for a variety of building materials in cities as diverse as Denver and El Centro. david bainbridge is one of the authors of the Straw Bale House and a pioneer in passive solar heating and cooling.

Environmental friendly building material

A good informativeand worth to keep in your personal library