- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (Mar 10 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0471719382
- ISBN-13: 978-0471719380
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 2.2 x 23.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 821 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#68,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Materials
- #22 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Materials
- #82 in Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Buildings & Construction
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"provides a useful insight into the various natural materials and building methods that are used in Europe and the States." (UK Landlord, March 2007)
Product Description
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.
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.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
Natural building in the United States is not just a phenomenon, it is a movement-a movement most visibly represented at the dawning of the twenty-first century by a particular set of non-industrialized construction technologies used primarily for residential applications. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Natural building in the United States is not just a phenomenon, it is a movement-a movement most visibly represented at the dawning of the twenty-first century by a particular set of non-industrialized construction technologies used primarily for residential applications. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alternative Construction,
By david bainbridge (San Diego) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods (Hardcover)
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Environmental friendly building material,
By avtar singh (LA,USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods (Hardcover)
A good informativeand worth to keep in your personal library
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews) 56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alternative Construction,
By david bainbridge - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods (Hardcover)
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. 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good survey, poor details,
By M. Hutfles - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods (Paperback)
If you have read few other books on alternate construction this is a good book for a general survey of current trends in natural building. Some good pointers on where to go for more details.
If you are looking for an actual how-to guide to various building methods, this book is not the one you want. Certainly not as a solo guide if you are looking to be an owner-builder in the sense of building yourself. Worth reading by checking it out from your library, not worth purchasing. 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice overview of options.,
By Hervian Rose - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods (Paperback)
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.
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