This book examines a broad range of traditional and modern natural construction methods, including straw-bale, light-clay, cob, adobe, rammed earth and pisé, 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. 416 pp.

Alternative Construction: Contemporary Natural Building Methods - Table Of Contents:

• FOREWORD
• PREFACE
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• Part I. DESIGN PRINCIPLES
  • Introduction
  • The Natural Building Movement
  • The Realities of Specifying Environmental Building Materials2. A New Context for Building Codes and Regulation
  • Natural Conditioning of Buildings
  • Structural Properties of Alternative Building Materials
• PART II. SYSTEMS AND MATERIALS
  • Adobe
  • Cob
  • Rammed Earth
  • Modular Contained Earth Earthbag
  • Earth-Rammed Tires
  • Light Clay
  • Straw-Bale
  • Bamboo
  • Earthen Finishes Earth Plasters Earth Floors
• Part III. APPLICATIONS
  • Integrated Systems with Rammed Earth Charles Sturt University, Thurgoona Campus, New South Wales, Australia
  • Straw, Clay, and Carrizo Obregon Project, Northern Mexico
  • Light-Clay House Additions School/Residence in Wisconsin
  • Variations on Earth bag The Honey House-Moab, Utah Residences in Arizona and Wisconsin Sandbag House, Rum Cay Island, Bahamas
  • The Value of Indigenous Ways Habitat for Humanity International
  • Building Technology Transfer Raising Straw-Bale Housing for Farm workers in California
  • Introduction of Straw-Bale Construction to Mongolia and China
  • Epilogue
  • Finding the Soul of Natural Building
  • Appendix A: Recommended References
  • Appendix B: Alternative Construction Resource Centers
  • ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS
  • INDEX