Art of Natural Building (Paperback)

by Joseph F. Kennedy (Editor), Michael Smith (Editor), Catherine Wanek (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This comprehensive introduction to the natural building field is for lay people, architects, and designers who wish to build beautiful, low-cost, and environmentally-sensible structures. From straw bale and cob, to recycled concrete and salvaged materials, this anthology of articles from leaders in the field focuses on both the practical and the esthetic concerns of ecological building designs and techniques. Profusely illustrated and packed with resources.

About the Author
All three editors are central practitioners in the natural building movement. Joseph F. Kennedy has expanded the boundaries of ecological architecture with NASA's space station habitability module. Michael Smith is the author of The Cob Cottage (Chelsea Green, 2001), among others. Catherine Wanek is the editor of The Last Straw Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers; 1 edition (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865714339
• ISBN-13: 978-0865714335
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,456 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #47 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Buildings & Construction
  #62 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Design & Construction
  #65 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Building Construction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to read "encyclopedia" of sensible building., July 1, 2002

By A Customer

I liked the way this subject was presented. First--why are these building methods sound, ie, the philosophy of using natural materials. Then, the many illustrations with informative descriptions at each one. Almost like reading the captions in National Geographic. The very large variety of methods and materials described in well-written essays by obvious experts in their field, each followed by references to books and periodicals that would deal with that particular subject in even more depth. Each section arranged in a natural progression of ideas. The general tone exudes a warmth and respect for people and our earth.. Thoroughly "good" reading.

106 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slightly delusional, May 16, 2004

By A Customer

This is a very interesting book. It's mostly not about natural building, but rather a book about alternative wall building. Of the four major parts of a house - foundation, floors, walls, roof - this is an awful lot of information about walls, and very little else. Foundations covered in a few cursory pages, almost nothing on roofs, and nothing on floors at all, except for ground level earthen floors.

There is less world-saving going on than meets the eye. Almost all the bad stuff whether large amounts of timber, or reviled composites is in the roofs, floors, and foundations. When it comes to having wildflowers as part of the roof, they even embrace some pretty nasty membrane products.

There is also a fair amount of self-delusion going on. In the section on timber frames the author mentions the savings to be had by timber framed walls vs. stud walls, but makes no mention of the unsustainable old growth used in timber frames. Nor does he mention that the infill to timber frames is either the same studwalls he claimed to avoid using, or highly toxic SIPs. in total most timber buildings are built twice once for the frame, and enough infill material to again carry all structural loads. The same comments can be made about straw bale, cordwood and so forth, often as much wood is used avoiding studs as using them.

Natural building is completely unlikely to make an ounce of green difference in the West. It mainly won't be used, and where it is, it will just be another trophy home "look". Still it's all great stuff for dreamers, and the odd few who will actually build their own little earthship.

Because of all the authors contributing, the standard of information is highly inconsistent, but in the main good. Do we really need to read after 200 pages a section on timber framing that starts from theoretical constructs like what is architecture and engineering, and works on to maters even more obscure? Nonetheless, there is solid information throughout the book.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very Good taste., June 11, 2003

By	Scott Knudsen (Air Ronge, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book gives you a very good taste of all the natural alternative building techniques, and also where to find out more information on them. This is an excellent book for you to start researching all the different alternative building techniques or if your already well read on the subject it may introduce you to some new techniques or be a good refresher on the subject.