Ecohouse, Third Edition [Paperback]

Sue Roaf PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0750669039 | ISBN-13: 978-0750669030 | Edition: 3

Now in its 3rd edition, the bestselling Ecohouse continues to be both a technical guide and an inspiration for thousands of architects, designers and eco-builders all over the world.

As the need to slow climate change becomes increasingly urgent, growing numbers of people are looking to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings by using more ecologically sound techniques. Ecohouse provides design information about the latest low-impact materials and technologies, showcasing the newest and best 'green' solutions with international case studies demonstrating sustainable design in action around the world.

This edition has been expanded to include advice on powering Ecohouses using renewable energy - including wind, micro hydro and heat pumps - and an introduction to low impact building materials such as lime, earth and hemp. New case studies from across the globe have been added to inspire readers with real life examples of how to make an Ecohouse work

Just reading this book won't save the world from the impact of climate change - but if everyone from governments down to householders followed its advice we might just begin to turn the tide.

Additional audience:
Eco-enthusiasts and green self-builders will appreciate the handy hints and references on refurbishment and advice on how to kit out their Ecohouse with the greenest appliances and fittings.

Lecturers and students on sustainable design and construction courses will find the latest real-world case studies fascinating and a great source of inspiration for their studio project work.

* An indispensable reference not only for architects but self builders and eco enthusiasts too.
* Covers all the latest building materials and technology needed to make a house 'green'
* International case studies illustrate the best examples of inspirational eco design

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Ecohouses are not luxuries, but necessities, critical to the survival of the biosphere. This book will help you make the transition.'
George Monbiot, author and columnist

'ecohouse is an invaluable and in depth resource for anybody wishing to get to grips with the issues of sustainability and domestic design. If you plan to build homes for the future, you really should be reading this book.'
Oliver Heath,
Blustin Heath Design

"Sue Roaf never fails to impress with her inexhaustible energy, forthright opinion and attention to detail. Ecohouse has become a classic in the green building genre. This book, the third edition, builds on the strengths of the two previous issues and keeps the subjects covered pretty well all up-to-date. Ecohouse is an all-encompassing tome so sit back and don't be prepared to dash through every subject that green building embraces. Don't expect to be short changed either. It has been written as an 'international' book, with a quarter of the book dedicated to case studies, mostly from abroad, although the underlying philosophy from them all could be usefully adapted to UK buildings. However, Roaf has ensured a formulaic methodology to string them all together. This ensures that the book has appeal to an international audience and reflects Roaf's background in academia, which naturally sees the whole world as a shared space.

The book deals with the design and building pf actual houses. The new edition has been expanded to include advise on powering ecohouses using various forms of renewable energy (PV, wind, micro hydro, biomass, and ground source heat pumps. It also includes more on water conservation plus an introduction to low impact-materials, such as lime, hemp and earth, with construction approaches. There are several case studies from across the globe that demonstrate sustainable design action in practice.

In the introduction to the third edition Roaf sets the scene by outlining the changes across the world since the second edition was published in 2003. A lot has happened to prove that climate change is a reality and now taken seriously by politicians around the world. She refers to four events, in particular, and the consequences of these; the European Heat wave of 2003; the power failures in the USA in 2003; the New Orleans flooding in 2005 caused by Hurricane Katrina; and the inexorable rise of oil and gas prices.

A vital read or update for anyone who wants to get to grips with the issues of sustainability and domestic design." - Green Buildings Magazine - Autumn 2007

From the Back Cover

Now in its third edition, the bestselling Ecohouse continues to be both a technical guide and an inspiration for thousands of architects, designers and eco-builders all over the world.

As the need to slow climate change becomes increasingly urgent, growing numbers of people are looking to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of their own buildings by using more ecologically sound techniques. Ecohouse provides design information about the latest low-impact materials and technologies, showcasing the newest and best 'green' solutions with international case studies demonstrating sustainable design in action around the world.

This edition has been expanded to include advice on powering Ecohouses using renewable energy - including wind, micro hydro and heat pumps - and an introduction to low impact building materials such as lime, earth and hemp. New case studies from across the globe have been added to inspire readers with real life examples of how to make an Ecohouse work.

Just reading this book won't save the world from the impact of climate change - but if everyone from governments down to householders followed its advice we might just begin to turn the tide.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Architectural Press; 3 edition (September 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750669039
• ISBN-13: 978-0750669030
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Semi-technical reference for Architects, March 1, 2010

By 

A. Plauche - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ecohouse, Third Edition (Paperback)

Covers various technical aspects of passive solar design and thoughtful building design with a large emphasis on embodied energy of materials and life cycle analysis of building material and appliance choices. Many medium depth articles submitted by experts, but some seem to be directly quoting some manufacturers sales sheets.

Lots of examples of simple "ecohouses", not your latest uber-fancy eco-palace, show simple design choices that make a big difference in energy savings.

This is a BIG book that covers a lot of material, many omissions, but generally objective.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, Thank you, March 25, 2010

By 

Rich Haynes (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ecohouse, Third Edition (Paperback)

A great book, fill a lot of missing links that other similar resources fail to address.