Catherine Wanek

Michael G. Smith

Joseph F. Kennedy

The search for housing that is healthy, affordable, and environmentally responsible is leading a growing number of people to take a fresh look at building techniques long shunned by the modern construction industry. Recently, books on specific techniques such as straw-bale construction, cob or rammed earth have become available, but there has been little to introduce the reader to the entire field. The Art of Natural Building fills that void wholly by being a complete and user-friendly introduction to natural building for non-professionals as well as architects and designers. From straw bale and cob to recycled concrete and salvaged materials, this anthology of articles from leaders in the field focuses on both the practical and the esthetic concerns of ecological building designs and techniques. Above all, this empowering guide demonstrates that anyone can design and build a home from natural materials that is beautiful, low-cost, and environmentally-sensible. Profusely illustrated, The Art of Natural Building is divided into five sections. The first provides an overview of the natural building movement from the various perspectives of sustainability, lifestyle, and health. The second section looks at planning and design, followed by a section that focuses on specific techniques and the vast variety of materials used in natural building. Next, examples of diverse natural dwellings are shared-from a Hybrid Hobbit House to a thatched studio and a cob office. Finally, complementary systems, such as solar appliances, composting toilets, and alternative power systems are covered. Packed with additional resources and a bibliography, this is the encyclopedia of natural building!

Design, Construction, Resources

The Art of Natural Building

Presents floor plans and images of strawbale homes from around the country, discussing such topics as climate considerations, maintenance, budgeting, code compliance, energy efficiency, and structural systems.

The New Strawbale Home

The Hybrid House consists of twenty-five case studies of hybrid homes—homes that are energy efficient, healthful for the residents, have cost-effective construction, are low in embodied energy, are equipped with user-friendly technology, are integrated with the landscape, and offer creative opportunities for the homeowners.

Catherine Wanek

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