Sustainable Building – serie

'As we move towards the 2016 zero carbon target in house building, Passivhaus construction looks like becoming not just popular in the UK, but commonplace. This is a no-nonsense and engaging introduction on how to do it.' KEVIN MCCLOUD-The Passivhaus Handbook is an essential guide for anyone wanting to realise a supremely comfortable, healthy and durable home with exceptionally low energy costs. Passivhaus design focuses on getting the building fabric right, to achieve ultra-low energy consumption cost-effectively. The approach is relevant to a wide range of building types and climates. Its methodology can be combined with elements of other building standards, such as the UK’s Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), or with other sustainable building goals, such as a commitment to using low-impact or natural building materials.Whether you are building an extension, retrofitting your house or starting from scratch, and whether you are new to low-energy design or already have some experience, this book will help you navigate around the potential pitfalls and misconceptions. It brings together current thinking and best practice.The book includes a clear explanation of the underlying building physics and terminology, as well as detailed information on key elements of Passivhaus: avoiding air leakage, designing thermal (cold) bridges, moisture management and ventilation strategy. There is also lots of practical advice on setting up a project, including developing a motivated project team, and a discussion of economic considerations and the policy context in the UK. As pressure on global resources increases and energy prices continue to rise, the Passivhaus approach, proven over 20 years, meets the challenge of ultra-low-energy building for the future.

An updated, fully revised, full-colour edition of the definitive manual on building with straw bales, described by Grand Designs as an 'essential guide'. Straw-bale buildings are cost-effective, easy to build and highly energy efficient, enabling you to design and build beautiful, environmentally friendly buildings. Written with non-experts in mind, Barbara Jones uses her years of experience in natural building methods to guide self-builders and architects building with straw as a sustainable material for a diverse range of comfortable and environmentally friendly buildings.Building with Straw Bales takes you through everything you need to know in an easy, accessible way. This includes design principles, the different types of foundations, how to raise and stabilise walls and protect them from the weather, including a detailed analysis of how straw performs with humidity and how straw bale buildings can easily meet building regulation requirements, as well as detailed information on lime and clay plaster finishes.Now in full colour for the first time, the beautiful photographs throughout this practical guide illustrate the design and build techniques described and showcase the diverse possibilities of straw bale building. The fully revised text includes step-by-step illustrations of key techniques, and also looks at the full international context of building with straw bales.This book is ideal for anyone looking to build more sustainably and integrate straw bales into their design.

An in-depth guide with step-by-step instructions on how to select, mix and apply lime- and clay- based plasters, renders, paints and washes.With the increasing awareness of eco-building techniques alongside the desire to make our homes healthier, the historical benefits of using natural renders and paints are being rediscovered. Clay and Lime Renders, Plasters and Paints is a detailed guide to the selection, mixing and application of lime- and clay-based plasters, renders, paints and washes.It provides step-by-step instructions for applying lime- and clay-based plasters, renders and paints, and information on the benefits of natural finishes for personal health, the environment, and for buildings. The book draws on traditional methods & materials for using lime & clay finishes on new and historic buildings, and also includes a comprehensive and up-to-date online resource guide to suppliers, practitioners and courses. Easy to follow DIY projects guide the reader through all aspects of using these natural finishes, with beautiful photographs of techniques and examples from the UK and abroad.

The key principles of designing a pleasant, comfortable and healthy eco-home, with a foreword written by HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. Designing an eco-home is much more about working with your house's location and situation than relying on intrusive technology and hi-tech materials. With the soaring energy bills and the climate crisis, it is now more important than ever to invest in a home that is considerate of keeping heat in.In this handbook, architect Christopher Day draws on his extensive experience to explain the key principles of eco-home design, using common-sense methods. Packed full of practical information, it includes several case studies of eco-homes, reviewing (with hindsight) what worked well and what could have been better. There is also guidance on how to generate energy, upgrading old buildings, and site planning.With beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, Christopher explores how to use local topography, combined with landscaping, to improve your home's microclimate and keep your house dry and warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. There are also handy tips on how to minimise hidden environmental impacts, and ideas on ways to make your home a safe and healthy place, both emotionally and physically. The Eco-Home Design Guide is essential for anyone who wants to create a attractive, environmentally friendly home that is in harmony with its location.

Whether you want a turf roof, solar-powered hot water, or a super-insulated (and cost-efficient) house, you need to know the essential elements of the selfbuild process. In The Green Self-Build Book, Jon Broome gives an overview of the different methods of sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques, and presents this information in a way that is relevant to non-professionals. The book includes case studies of green building techniques such as earth & straw bale buildings.The Green Self-Build Book gives inspiration and information to guide you through the green self-build process. It is intended for anyone who is planning a self-build project, and also for housing professionals, students and teachers.