This exciting new book, written by a veteran author who himself lives
in a straw-bale and rammed-tire home, examines fourteen natural building
methods, including straw bale, rammed earth, cordwood, adobe, earthbags,
papercrete, Earthships, and more. You'll learn how these homes are built,
how much they cost, and the pros and cons of each. A resource guide
at the end of the book offers a wealth of information for those who
want to learn more.
With a writing style that is clear, understandable, humorous, and fun
to read, the author shows how we can gain energy independence and dramatically
reduce our environmental impact through passive heating and cooling
techniques, solar electricity, wind power, and micro-hydropower. Chiras
also explains safe, economical ways of acquiring clean drinking water
and treating wastewater, and discusses affordable green building products.
While Chiras is an advocate of natural building, he takes a careful
look at the "romance" of natural building techniques and alerts
readers to avoidable pitfalls, offering detailed practical advice that
could save you tens of thousands of dollars, whether you're buying a
natural home, building one yourself or renovating an existing structure,
or considering hiring a contractor to build for you.
Go to Resourse Guide for "The
Natural House": detailed chapter by chapter over view.
Photo Gallery
paper • 8" x 10" • 468 pages
illustrations • b&w photos • appendices
index • ISBN 1-890132-57-8 •
about the author
Dan Chiras holds a Ph.D. in biology and teaches courses on sustainability
at the University of Denver and University of Colorado. He has published
five college and high school textbooks as well as books for general
audiences. Chiras is an avid musician, organic gardener, river runner,
and bicyclist, who lives with his two sons in a passive solar/solar
electric home in Evergreen, Colorado.
