Building

Everything you always wanted to know about walls. If you're interested in beautiful walls that make a difference in a landscape - a wall that really is an artful statement in and of itself, then this is the book for you. Fundamental elements of garden and landscape architecture, walls define borders, create spaces and provide protection. This book introduces the rich design potential of this structural element, offering a systematic set of guidelines and an inspiring store of models for designers, builders, horticulturists and ... read more

Sustainable architecture is gaining in popularity as people develop an ever-greater commitment to preserving the Earth s resources. This practical new guide contains an illustrated reference section covering all aspects of sustainable building and decoration, from insulation to solar panels and from light bulbs to kitchen countertops. Thirty case studies, featuring sustainably built homes from around the world, from an ambassador s official residence to a rooftop extension, offer inspiration. The informative text takes a balanced a... read more

This is a stunning exploration of the wonder of Britain's architecture with Ptolemy Dean, presenter of BBC2's Restoration. From churches and cathedrals to music halls and country houses.Take a look around Britain's best buildings and explore our unique relationship with our surroundings through expert insight from Ptolemy and his personal illustrations. This title features foreword from architecture expert and author of "England's Thousand Best Churches", Simon Jenkins.

The BRANZ House Insulation Guide is intended to help designers assess the thermal performance that can be expected for given levels of insulation and common construction options. New additions include: 10 options for steel-framed wall construction (only 2 in 3rd ed) Deeper rafter options of 240 mm and 290 mm for a number of roof constructions 6 concrete slab constructions (only 3 in 3rd ed) Work out the total construction R-value for a roof, wall or floor A redeveloped calculation table for recessed down lights and much more

This guide contains practical guidelines for good timber-framed house building, with hundreds of diagrams, easy to follow tables for quick reference and bullet points for easy reading. Informative illustrations show how all the elements fit together. This publication includes all the new NZS 3604 and E2/AS1 changes. It is a comprehensive, practical, step-by-step guide and is the ideal reference tool for anyone involved in house building. The easy-to-read format follows through all the key steps involved in house construction right ... read more

This compact book promises to answer the 1000 most-asked questions that can frustrate all DIYers. Julian and Peter cover all our questions, from the basic to the particular. There are questions about choosing the right product for the right job, wonder remedies that can be bought over the counter, simple solutions to lighting and storage problems, dealing with household maintenance emergencies, eco-friendly DIY alternatives, tips for dealing with gloopy paint, lifting wallpaper and mouldy dishwasher seals. From quick-fix tips to th... read more

Energy efficient, non-toxic, healthy homes are the hottest trend in the building industry. Homebuilders are constructing green homes in astonishing numbers - nearly 200,000 in the U.S. alone in 2006. How does a home buyer who wants a green home know what to look for, what questions to ask a builder, which green home rating systems to trust, and what homes are on the market? Nationally recognised green-building expert Jerry Yudelson provides answers to some common areas of concern, including: Energy-efficient home features; Water co... read more

Dozens of illustrations, floor plans, and instructions provide a wealth of information for cattle barns, pigeon houses, self-feeding corncribs, self-closing doors, horse barns, dog houses, and much more. There are also suggestions on placement of outbuildings and choosing the right materials for foundations, walls, and roof. The new release of this homesteading helper will engage new audiences, from builders to history buffs to craft lovers.

Make the break, realise the dream and start living "The Good Life!" with John Seymour. The new edition of this enduring classic from the founding father of modern self-sufficiency, John Seymour, is still the key reference to living off the land. Covering all the practicals from ploughing fields to milking cows as well as information on how to create an urban organic garden and harness natural energy, this is perfect for anyone aspiring to the self-sufficient lifestyle. Packed with Seymour's tried-and-tested tips and invaluable nugg... read more

Is it possible for a group of the world's most respected environmental scientists to truly practice what they preach? Can their expertise in climate change help them in transforming an old house and its nine acres into their new office building and campus - a building that is as energy efficient as possible, uses local materials, and generates all of the energy it consumes? In this candid, charming, and informative book, the director of the renowned Woods Hole Research Center tells a story that will interest anyone who has ever tho... read more

This book is a guide to creating your perfect home. It is an extension of some of the feature articles published in 'at home' - the popular monthly supplement to The Press in Christchurch. The book is in two parts. Part One covers the main points to consider before tackling a major project in the home. It starts with the dream itself: how do you choose what kind of home you really want? Following chapters examine problems facing New Zealand householders today, for example the need for more energy-efficient and environmentally frie... read more

From eco-friendly sheetrock to sustainable paint finishes, the green building movement is gaining momentum but with new products being introduced routinely, it is hard for architects or designers to know what is best for their projects. A companion to Understanding Green Building Guidelines (ISBN 9780393732634), this primer summarises what is available and the considerations for selecting sustainable materials.

This introduction to concepts of sustainability and green engineering derived from sound scientific principles is the first book to present the scientific principles at the heart of sustainable design. From thermodynamics to fluid dynamics, computational chemistry to models, the principles in this book are illustrated with practical case studies from the author's own work.

An guide to building living structures with straw bales. Covers benefits of building with straw bales, safety concerns, building codes, and insurance, and offers techniques for building walls, windows, doors, foundations, roofs, floors, and plastering the straw walls. Includes b&w photos demonstrat

Maintaining Your Home's 358 full-colour pages are crammed with practical advice on common problems and their causes, what needs to be done about them and whether you should do-it-yourself or call for expert advice. It covers every part of your home, from subfloor to roof space and beyond, and includes charts for you to fill in to keep track of your maintenance over the years. For most of us, our home is our biggest asset and if you value the investment you have made, you need a copy of this book. It explains how your house works a... read more

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At last, those seeking basic information on how to design and build green roofs have a concise, authoritative guide to this exciting new technology.

This book is a treasure trove of guidance and wisdom, advice based on years of practical and personal experience. It is a comprehensive guide to building your own wood-fired oven. It offers a brief history of wood-fired ovens, basic design considerations, and a guide to starting your wood fired oven project. Appendices cover oven doors and doorways, making arches and door entries, dampers and chimney bases. The book also includes some wonderful recipes.

Advances in solar technology have made many DIY-friendly products available to consumers, several of which will be hitting the market for the first time in 2011. These include solar water heaters, solar battery charging stations, solar powered lights, photovoltaic shingles that provide supplementary electricity, solar heat pumps, and solar panel kits that generate primary home electrical service. Among the step-by-step projects is a solar water heating system you can build and install yourself for under $1000; simple thermosyphon s... read more