Designing with Nature The Ecological Basis for Architectural Design

This work considers how to make architecture compatible with the environment. It presents a framework in which the architect, building contractor and owner can understand how building construction affects the natural site and its resources. It also explains the real, pragmatic steps that can be taken to mitigate the all-too-common damage that man-made structures inflict on the natural environment, including low-energy design, bioclimatic design, recycling and disposal of building materials and waste and ecological landuse planning. The text contains case studies of low-environmental impact building designs from around the world and demonstrates the new emphasis on using building materials with long life-span and low maintenance costs.