By: Jacob Deva Racusin, Ace McArleton

Book with CD or DVD

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A State-of-the-Art Resource for Natural Builders that is a part of The Yestermorrow Design/Build Library and includes an instructional DVD

Natural buildings not only bring satisfaction to their makers and joy to their occupants, they also leave the gentlest footprint on the environment. In this complete reference to natural building philosophy, design, and technique, Jacob Deva Racusin and Ace McArleton walk builders through planning and construction, offering step-by-step instructions on:

• siting and site analysis
• choosing materials
• integrating basic structural considerations into a design
• strategies for heating/cooling efficiency and moisture management
• planning for acoustics
• developing an integrative design
• navigating budgeting, code compliance, and project management
• creating the foundation, wall system, roof, and floors
• selecting and making plasters and paints
• evaluating options for mechanical and utility systems
• protecting against fire and insects
• integrating structures within landscape, climate, and human communities

...and more

Applicable to building in climates that are cold and wet, hot and dry, or somewhere in-between, The Natural Building Companion provides the tools necessary to understand basic principles of building science, including structural and thermal engineering, and hydrodynamics. This guide offers thorough, up-to-date, and advanced installation details and performance characteristics of straw-bale, straw-clay, woodchip-clay, and cellulose wall systems, as well as earthen and stone wall systems and a variety of framing, roofing, flooring, mechanical system, and finishing options. This fully-illustrated volume informs professionals making the transition from conventional building, homeowners embarking on their own construction, or green builders who want comprehensive guidance on natural-building options.

"Choice"-"'Natural building is broader in its approach and scope than green building, ' state Racusin and McArleton (both, Yestermorrow Design/Build School instructors) in "The Natural Building Companion". The volume's 21 chapters, which cover topics ranging from soil and acoustics to straw bale and energy electricity, are divided into three parts: 'The Context for Natural Building, ' 'Building Science and Performance, ' and 'Natural Building Practices.' The natural techniques described all speak to broader concerns about better, healthier ways of building, intended to eliminate volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing; and to create living environments that are designed and built as if climate mattered. These approaches also aim to reduce buildings' reliance on expensive and energy-consuming mechanical systems for maintaining comfortable living conditions. On a more detailed level, the authors delve into product ingredients, e.g., lime in mortars. They even supply recipes for finishes. Their view is that designing and building shelter to meet a wide range of human needs and local environmental conditions need not be a luxury. An additional bonus is an instructional DVD that allows readers to visualize many of the techniques the authors discuss. This book is an excellent hands-on companion to any and all books on architecture. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers."

PART I: THE CONTEXT FOR NATURAL BUILDING Chapter 1: A Brief History of Natural Building in the Northeast, Learning from History, Mainstream Building Materials Today Chapter 2: Ecology, Global Warming and Climate Change, Addressing Challenges of Toxicity, Moving Forward Chapter 3: Beyond the Building: Siting and Landscape Design, Fundamentals of Siting, Natural Building and Permaculture Chapter 4: Soil and Stone: Geology and Mineralogy, Geology, Mineralology: Minerals, Sand, Clay, and Soil; Geology and the Northeast Chapter 5: Flora and Fauna, Plants, Animals and Animal Products PART II: BUILDING SCIENCE AND PERFORMANCE Chapter 6: Structure and Natural Building, Straw Bale Wall: Non-Load Bearing, Straw Bale Wall: Load Bearing, Mass Walls: Load Bearing, Know What You Don't Know Chapter 7: Heat and Natural Building, Thermal Performance Strategies for Natural Buildings, Field Testing of Natural Buildings, Common Heat Loss Conditions in Natural Buildings, Beyond the R-Value, The Power of Mass Chapter 8: Moisture and Natural Building, Moisture Performance Strategies for Natural Buildings, Moisture Control Strategy, Smarter Buildings Chapter 9: Fire, Insects, and Acoustics, Fire and Natural Buildings, Insects and Natural Buildings, Acoustics and Natural Buildings PART III: NATURAL BUILDING PRACTICES Chapter 10: Design, Holistic Design System, Values-Based Design, Integrative Design--Best of All Worlds, Design Modalities, Design Rating Systems Chapter 11: Before Construction, Budgeting and Finances, Assessing Resources, Codes, Permitting, and Insurance Chapter 12: Foundations for Natural Buildings, Functions of Foundations, Key Considerations of a Foundation System, Types of Foundation Systems Chapter 13: Framing for Natural Buildings, Framing with Green Wood, Framing Systems Chapter 14: Insulative Wall Systems: Straw Bale, Design for Straw Bale Structures (Step 1), Bale Preparation: Air Fins, Stand-aways, Pony Wall/Toe-ups, & Window/Door Framing (Step 2), Bale Construction and Installation (Step 3), Plaster Preparation (Step 4) Chapter 15: Insulative Wall Systems: Straw-Clay, Woodchip-Clay, and Cellulose, Insulative Walls: an Overview, Constructing Straw Clay Exterior Walls, Constructing Straw Clay Interior Walls, Constructing Woodchip Clay Exterior Walls, Constructing Woodchip Clay Interior Walls, Cellulose-Insulated Walls Chapter 16: Natural Mass Wall Systems: Earthen and Stone Applications for Mass in Cold Climates, Most Common Mass Wall Typologies, Other Mass Wall Typologies Chapter 17: Natural Plastering, What Is Plaster?, General Plaster Structure, Plastering Methods Chapter 18: Roofs for Natural Buildings, Roof Assembly Strategies, Roofing Materials Chapter 19: Floors for Natural Buildings, Earthen Floors, Other Flooring Options Chapter 20: Natural Finishes, Choosing the Right Finish, The Anatomy of a Finish, A Sampling of Natural Finish Formulations Chapter 21: Mechanicals and Utilities for Natural Buildings, Water, Energy: Electricity, Energy: Heat, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Conclusion A Structure Not in Isolation The Places We Live: Challenges and Opportunities in Cities, Towns, Suburbs, and Rural Areas Call to Action References Appendix A: Suggested Further Reading Appendix B: Selected Details Appendix C: Plaster Recipes Appendix D: Results Summary of Energy Performance of Northeast Straw Bale Buildings Research Appendix E: Sample Budget Index

ISBN: 9781603583398
ISBN-10: 1603583394
Series: Yestermorrow Design/Build Library
Audience: General
Format: Book with CD or DVD
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 416
Published: 15th June 2012
Dimensions (cm): 25.0 x 20.0  x 2.6
Weight (kg): 1.216