The Natural Building Companion

Natural buildings not only bring satisfaction to their makers and joy to their occupants, they also leave the gentlest footprint on the environment. In this complete reference to natural building philosophy, design, and technique, Jacob Deva Racusin and Ace McArleton walk builders through planning and construction, offering step-by-step instructions on:

• siting and site analysis
• choosing materials
• integrating basic structural considerations into a design
• strategies for heating/cooling efficiency and moisture management
• planning for acoustics
• developing an integrative design
• navigating budgeting, code compliance, and project management
• creating the foundation, wall system, roof, and floors
• selecting and making plasters and paints
• evaluating options for mechanical and utility systems
• protecting against fire and insects
• integrating structures within landscape, climate, and human communities

...and more

Applicable to building in climates that are cold and wet, hot and dry, or somewhere in-between, The Natural Building Companion provides the tools necessary to understand basic principles of building science, including structural and thermal engineering, and hydrodynamics. This guide offers thorough, up-to-date, and advanced installation details and performance characteristics of straw-bale, straw-clay, woodchip-clay, and cellulose wall systems, as well as earthen and stone wall systems and a variety of framing, roofing, flooring, mechanical system, and finishing options. This fully-illustrated volume informs professionals making the transition from conventional building, homeowners embarking on their own construction, or green builders who want comprehensive guidance on natural-building options. A State-of-the-Art Resource for Natural Builders The Natural Building Companion is a part of The Yestermorrow Design/Build Library and includes an instructional DVD.

Part 1: The context for natural building
1. A brief history of natural building in the Northeast
2. Ecology
3. Beyond the building: siting and landscape design
4. Soil and stone: geology and mineralogy
5. Flora and fauna
Part 2: Building science and performance
6. Structure and natural building
7. Heat and natural building
8. Moisture and natural building
9. Fire, insects, and acoustics
Part 3: Natural building practices
10. Design
11. Before construction
12. Foundations for natural buildings
13. Framing for natural buildings
14. Insulative wall systems: straw bale
15. Insulative wall systems: straw-clay, woodchip-clay, and cellulose
16. Natural mass-wall systems: earth and stone
17. Natural plastering
18. Roofs for natural buildings
19. Floors for natural buildings
20. Natural finishes
21. Mechanicals and utilities for natural buildings