Audubon House: Building the Environmentally Responsible, Energy-Efficient Office (Wiley Series in Sustainable Design) [Paperback]

National Audubon Society (Author), Architects Croxton Collaborative (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wiley Series in Sustainable Design | Publication Date: April 6, 1994

A new paradigm for environmentally sound construction. A source of inspiration for those concerned for the environment. Audubon House Audubon House tells the story of how a dedicated team of architects, environmentalists, engineers, research scientists, interior designers, and contractors transformed a 19th-century structure in downtown Manhattan into one of the most energy-efficient, environmentally-responsible office buildings ever designed. Sixty percent more energy efficient than a conventional office building, built at market cost using only off-the-shelf technology and materials, and supporting an extraordinarily healthy office environment, Audubon House has been hailed as the antidote for many of this century's unhealthy and inefficient building practices. Richly illustrated with professional photographs and architectural drawings, Audubon House is both a working model for building professionals and an affirmation of the belief that we can alter our destructive environmental course without sacrificing economic competitiveness. Advance Praise for Audubon House "Audubon House illustrates a shining example of the future of architecture: a future where energy efficiency and the preservation of natural, historic, and human resources are the key to creating spaces that are cost-effective, healthy, beautiful, and magical." --Amory B. Lovins Director of Research, Rocky Mountain Institute "The Audubon House is an embodiment of the hope that humanity will find its proper place within the natural world. What a delight that this practical model can be shared so thoroughly and splendidly. I applaud this important contribution to the art of design for sustainability and encourage one and all to enjoy its inspiration." --William McDonough, AIA Principal, William McDonough Architects Author of The Hannover Principles--Design for Sustainability "A fine book. This shows it can be done--efficiency does not mean a retreat to a lower quality of life." --Dr. Paul R. Ehrlich Bing Professor of Population Studies Department of Biological Sciences Stanford University "A very model of a guide to a major modern building! At last we have the book on the building that shows us what sustainable architecture is and should be." --Jon and Alex Naar, authors of This Land Is Your Land: A Guide to North America's Endangered Ecosystems

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In 1992, the National Audubon Society completed construction on one of the most environmentally advanced edifices ever built. The building's success is due equally to the new technologies implemented, sound economic principles used to guide the project and the special collaborative approach of the design and construction team. This lavishly illustrated book examines all three elements in a manner that will show others how these principles can be applied to create buildings with improved environmental performance.

From the Inside Flap

Audubon House Audubon House is the inspiring story of how the Audubon/Croxton team converted a 19th-century architectural masterpiece into one of the most environmentally advanced buildings ever designed. Providing a model that can be followed by owners, developers, architects, and building professionals, this book demonstrates how environmental criteria, such as sustainable use of resources, energy efficiency, and air quality can be achieved without sacrificing traditional considerations of cost, functionality, and aesthetics. Built at market cost and using only off-theshelf technology, Audubon House is sixty percent more energy efficient than the conventional approach would have been. It saves its owners a projected $100,000 dollars annually in operating expenses, and supports an extraordinarily practical, healthy, and handsome office environment. The book is organized into two parts. Part 1 introduces the project and describes what members of the Audubon team discovered about the environmental impact of buildings and the types of systems that can mitigate this impact. Part II presents four essential systems at Audubon House: lighting, heating and cooling, ventilation and indoor air quality, and recycling. Particular attention is paid to the way in which these systems work together, each contributing to the performance of the whole. These goals could only be realized through the close cooperation of the architects, interior designers, environmentalists, engineers, (continued on back flap) research scientists, and contractors who collaborated on the project. The description of this collaborative process is as central to the theme of this book as the building’s many design innovations and energy-saving features. Richly illustrated with professional photographs and architectural drawings, Audubon House is both a guidepost for environmentally sound construction and an inspiring chronicle of hope for all environmentally concerned citizens.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 6, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471024961
• ISBN-13: 978-0471024965
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,752,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Future Trends In Building Design, March 27, 2000

By 

Stephen Roberts (New York City, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Audubon House: Building the Environmentally Responsible, Energy-Efficient Office (Wiley Series in Sustainable Design) (Paperback)

Audubon House has become one of the finest examples of the possibility inherent in Sustainable Design practices. This book does an excellent job of passing on to the reader the strategy, effort, and technology that was incorporated into the building's renovation. The book has served to embolden my own interest in the subject while simultaneously educating me on facets of design to which I was previously unaware.