Earth Construction: A Comprehensive Guide (Paperback)

by Hugo Houben (Author), Hubert Guillard (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A comprehensive and illustrated handbook which will be essential reading for anyone involved in construction. Earth is extremely versatile and cheap but users must have a proper knowledge of its real potential in order to use it to its best effect.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Practical Action (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185339193X
• ISBN-13: 978-1853391934
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,016,330 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first hippie free Earth book, January 12, 2009

By	Benjamin Turner (Ojai, CA and Nelson, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So many natural building books are written by people who seek to 'leave the rat-race', circumvent building codes, live outside conventional society and their books reflect their ideologies. Those books are fun to read and have some great ideas but lack the hard scientific approach, the testing, details and production methods backed up with figures and graphs. It may be a 'dry' read for those looking to browse but this is the book you should turn to if you are seriously interested in Earth Construction. The authors unflinchingly criticize poor design, inefficient production methods and honestly say when there is not enough evidence for them to comment on any facet of the subject. The book covers soil investigation, stabilization, press designs, rammed earth, transportation and preparation of soil, design (including seismic) of walls, roofs, floors, finishes (including earth render/plater) and more. Also included are common waterproofing details adapted to earth construction and analysis of the most common design flaws along with descriptions of their effects to the building over time.
I have many books on this subject. This one is the dirtiest on my shelf; why?, because it is getting the most use both in the office and in the field.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be your own Engineer., April 2, 2003

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

Everything you need to know on Engineering an Earth Constructed House. The book does have a few B&W photo's of Earth Buildings but could use allot more for my taste. It should probably be updated with a new addition that includes information on Nader Khalili's book 'Ceramic Houses & Earth Architecture'