Alternative Construction Contemporary Natural Building Methods

by Elizabeth, Lynne; Adams, Cassandra

• ISBN13: 9780471719380
• ISBN10: 0471719382
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-24
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

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 pisi, 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.

Author Biography

LYNNE ELIZABETH is a consultant and author on sustainable community development and ecological design. She currently directs New Village Press, a publishing project of ADPSR, and resides in Temescal Commons, a solar-powered cohousing community in Oakland, California.

CASSANDRA ADAMS is an architect and consultant in construction management and ecological design. She has taught architecture, construction, and environmental courses at the University of Washington and the University of California–Berkeley.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Bob Berkebile.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

PART I: DESIGN PRINCIPLES.

1. Introduction: The Natural Building Movement (L. Elizabeth).

The Realities of Specifying Environmental Building Materials.

2. A New Context for Building Codes and Regulation (D. Eisenberg).

3. Natural Conditioning of Buildings (K. Haggard, et al.).

4. Structural Properties of Alternative Building Materials (B. King).

PART II: SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS.

5. Adobe (M. Moquin).

6. Cob (M. Smith).

7. Rammed Earth (D. Easton).

8. Modular Contained Earth (J. Kennedy & P. Wojciechowska).

Earth-Rammed Tires (M. Reynolds).

9. Light Clay (K. Lerner, et al.).

10. Straw-Bale (K. Lerner, et al.).

11. Bamboo (D. DeBoer & K. Bareis).

12. Earthen Finishes: Earth Plasters (C. Crews).

Earth Floors (B. Steen & A. Steen).

PART III: APPLICATIONS.

13. Integrated Systems with Rammed Earth (M. Weber-Mannison).

14. Straw, Clay, and Carrizo (B. Steen & A. Steen).

15. Light-Clay House Additions (L. Host_Jablonski).

16. Variations on Earthbag (K. Hunter, et al.).

17. The Value of Indigenous Ways (C. Nelson).

18. Building Technology Transfer (K. Lerner, et al.).

Epilogue: Finding the Soul of Natural Building (T. Bender).

Appendix A: Recommended References.

Appendix B: Alternative Construction Resource Centers.

About the Contributors.

Index.