Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide: 2 (Sustainable Building Essentials Series, 2) - Softcover

Magwood, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0865718202 ISBN 13: 9780865718203

Publisher: New Society Publishers, 2016

Synopsis

The essential guide to prefab straw bale panels - an innovative spin on a widely used natural building method

Prefabricated straw bale wall panels combine the performance and low environmental impact of traditional straw bale with reduced labor and more consistent results. These structural insulated panels (SIPs) are built offsite and transported to the job site, or built onsite and "tipped up" into position. Essential Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, scalable method.

This indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to the use of prefabricated bale walls, packed with all the information you need to determine whether they are the right choice for your project. It covers:

• Specifications, engineering details and building code references
• Comprehensive step-by-step instructions and detail drawings
• Finishing and maintenance techniques
• Budgeting and labor estimates
• Additional resources

Essential Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction is part of New Society's Sustainable Building Series. Written by the world's leading sustainable builders, designers and engineers, these succinct, user-friendly handbooks are indispensable tools for any project where accurate and reliable information are key to success. Get the Essentials!

Chris Magwood is a sustainable builder and designer specializing in green and natural building techniques, the co-founder and co-director of the Endeavour Centre, and the author of several books on sustainable building including Making Better Buildings , More Straw Bale Building and Straw Bale Details .

About this title

Review

Hemp as a building material is one of the most important uses of this plant. Essential Hempcrete Construction explains this new technology in a clear and concise manner. With this information anyone wanting to use this material will have a great starting point.
---Steve Allin, Director, International Hemp Building Association and author, Building with Hemp
In a field that is often beset with more wishful thinking than honest appraisal, Essential Hempcrete Construction stands out as a well-researched in investigation into the potential and promise of hemp-lime systems in the contemporary built-environment.
---Tim Callahan, co-author of Building Green and founding partner at Alembic Studio, LLC
Hempcrete/hemp-lime construction is one of the simplest and most effective and affordable solutions for sustainable, healthy and energy efficient building available to mainstream builders and self-help enthusiasts alike. Magwood has years of experience of natural building and sound construction practice so this book provides excellent, well-illustrated, guidance.
---Tom Woolley, author, Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality; Low Impact Building; and Hemp-Lime Construction
Essential Hempcrete Construction is an informative and easy to read guide/instruction manual to building with hemp-lime. Magwood has been able to simplify the data for us and compare costs to other conventional building materials, he has also managed to keep it brief and to-the-point so as to quickly help us make an informed decision to build with hemp-lime or not. This book is a time (and money) saver - worth every penny.
---Greg Flavall, Hemp Technologies Collective
Essential Hempcrete Construction is an exciting manual for homeowners, building teachers, building officials and contractors. Filled with photos and drawings that help all of us make choices that are ultimately going to support long lasting buildings. Solid and fun to read.
---Sukita Reay Crimmel, coauthor, Earthen Floors
Chris Magwood has combined his deep understanding of building science with some fortuitous hands-on experience of working with hempcrete to craft this timely and detailed guide to the essentials of hempcrete construction. By simply mixing the lightweight core of hemp stalks (an agricultural byproduct) with lime it is possible to make an insulating material that can handle moisture without decomposing, has good structural qualities and thermal performance, is nontoxic and fire resistant, naturally sequesters carbon, and is ultimately completely recyclable. With the successful use of hempcrete in Europe for over a decade, hopefully this book will help usher in a new era of industrial hemp production in North America.
---Kelly Hart
"Chris Magwood's easy-to-read, thoughtful, and practical book on building with hempcrete is a must-have for my work as a designer and builder focused on resilient, natural, and low carbon construction. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, practical solutions are needed now to lower our collective ecological impact as a building trade." Essential Hempcrete Construction "is a critical tool in our toolkits."
---Ace McArleton, coauthor, The Natural Building Companion, and cofounder, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build LLC"
Hemp as a building material is one of the most important uses of this plant. Essential Hempcrete Construction explains this new technology in a clear and concise manner. With this information anyone wanting to use this material will have a great starting point.
---Steve Allin, Director, International Hemp Building Association and author, Building with Hemp
In a field that is often beset with more wishful thinking than honest appraisal, Essential Hempcrete Construction stands out as a well-researched in investigation into the potential and promise of hemp-lime systems in the contemporary built-environment.
---Tim Callahan, co-author of Building Green and founding partner at Alembic Studio, LLC
Hempcrete/hemp-lime construction is one of the simplest and most effective and affordable solutions for sustainable, healthy and energy efficient building available to mainstream builders and self-help enthusiasts alike. Magwood has years of experience of natural building and sound construction practice so this book provides excellent, well-illustrated, guidance.
---Tom Woolley, author, Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality; Low Impact Building; and Hemp-Lime Construction
Essential Hempcrete Construction is an informative and easy to read guide/instruction manual to building with hemp-lime. Magwood has been able to simplify the data for us and compare costs to other conventional building materials, he has also managed to keep it brief and to-the-point so as to quickly help us make an informed decision to build with hemp-lime or not. This book is a time (and money) saver - worth every penny.
---Greg Flavall, Hemp Technologies Collective
Essential Hempcrete Construction is an exciting manual for homeowners, building teachers, building officials and contractors. Filled with photos and drawings that help all of us make choices that are ultimately going to support long lasting buildings. Solid and fun to read.
---Sukita Reay Crimmel, coauthor, Earthen Floors
Chris Magwood has combined his deep understanding of building science with some fortuitous hands-on experience of working with hempcrete to craft this timely and detailed guide to the essentials of hempcrete construction. By simply mixing the lightweight core of hemp stalks (an agricultural byproduct) with lime it is possible to make an insulating material that can handle moisture without decomposing, has good structural qualities and thermal performance, is nontoxic and fire resistant, naturally sequesters carbon, and is ultimately completely recyclable. With the successful use of hempcrete in Europe for over a decade, hopefully this book will help usher in a new era of industrial hemp production in North America.
---Kelly Hart
Chris Magwood's easy-to-read, thoughtful, and practical book on building with hempcrete is a must-have for my work as a designer and builder focused on resilient, natural, and low carbon construction. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, practical solutions are needed now to lower our collective ecological impact as a building trade. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a critical tool in our toolkits.
---Ace McArleton, coauthor, The Natural Building Companion, and cofounder, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build LLC"
...Hemp as a building material is one of the most important uses of this plant. Essential Hempcrete Construction explains this new technology in a clear and concise manner. With this information anyone wanting to use this material will have a great starting point.
---Steve Allin, Director, International Hemp Building Association and author, Building with Hemp

In a field that is often beset with more wishful thinking than honest appraisal, Essential Hempcrete Construction stands out as a well-researched in investigation into the potential and promise of hemp-lime systems in the contemporary built-environment.
---Tim Callahan, co-author of Building Green and founding partner at Alembic Studio, LLC

Hempcrete/hemp-lime construction is one of the simplest and most effective and affordable solutions for sustainable, healthy and energy efficient building available to mainstream builders and self-help enthusiasts alike. Magwood has years of experience of natural building and sound construction practice so this book provides excellent, well-illustrated, guidance."
---Tom Woolley, author, Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality; Low Impact Building; and Hemp-Lime Construction

Essential Hempcrete Construction is an informative and easy to read guide/instruction manual to building with hemp-lime. Magwood has been able to simplify the data for us and compare costs to other conventional building materials, he has also managed to keep it brief and to-the-point so as to quickly help us make an informed decision to build with hemp-lime or not. This book is a time (and money) saver - worth every penny.
---Greg Flavall, Hemp Technologies Collective

Essential Hempcrete Construction is an exciting manual for homeowners, building teachers, building officials and contractors. Filled with photos and drawings that help all of us make choices that are ultimately going to support long lasting buildings. Solid and fun to read.
---Sukita Reay Crimmel, coauthor, Earthen Floors

Chris Magwood has combined his deep understanding of building science with some fortuitous hands-on experience of working with hempcrete to craft this timely and detailed guide to the essentials of hempcrete construction. By simply mixing the lightweight core of hemp stalks (an agricultural byproduct) with lime it is possible to make an insulating material that can handle moisture without decomposing, has good structural qualities and thermal performance, is nontoxic and fire resistant, naturally sequesters carbon, and is ultimately completely recyclable. With the successful use of hempcrete in Europe for over a decade, hopefully this book will help usher in a new era of industrial hemp production in North America.
---Kelly Hart

Chris Magwood's easy-to-read, thoughtful, and practical book on building with hempcrete is a must-have for my work as a designer and builder focused on resilient, natural, and low carbon construction. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, practical solutions are needed now to lower our collective ecological impact as a building trade. Essential Hempcrete Construction is a critical tool in our toolkits.
---Ace McArleton, coauthor, The Natural Building Companion, and cofounder, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build LLC

Review

"The next generation of straw bale buildings is coming, and now we have a guide for builders, designers, and would-be manufacturers - from one of the best sources anywhere. As always, Chris Magwood brings enthusiasm, experience and solid science to the subject, so buy this book! Now! And prepare to learn, smile, and be part of a cool new generation of building!"
- Bruce King, Ecological Building Network, author, Design of Straw Bale Building

" Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction is a jumping off point both for professionals pondering unique, turn-key business opportunities and for novice homeowner-builders seeking an easier DIY approach to straw bale building. Accelerate your own research and development by several years in an easy weekend read."
- Ben Polley, Evolve Builders Group

"This essential guide covers it all, from the why and how to the nitty gritty details. Having explored a variety of modular and prefab delivery methods, with the help of this book, we foresee prefab straw bale becoming a favorite go-to solution."
- Anni Tilt, AIA & David Arkin, AIA, LEED AP / Arkin Tilt Architects

"Not satisfied with the impact he's already made, Chris Magwood has given us a blueprint for building regenerative housing for the masses. No more baby steps - this book is a giant leap forward for straw bale building!"
- David Lanfear, Bale on Bale Construction

"[Magwood is] way ahead of the curve as usual with this publication. And yet it is not a minute too early for the public to be introduced to this important advancement in the world of low carbon construction. Enclosed you will find everything you want to know about prefabricated straw bale construction and a bunch of other things you should know as well."
- Ben Graham, New Frameworks Natural Building

"Chris Magwood has been on the forefront of natural building and he once again shows his ability to bring things to the next level. Prefab straw bale may indeed be the catalyst that this incredible technology needs and Chris lays out the plan in detail in this book. From why it's important to how to get started, Chris inspires us to think bigger than ourselves. He takes us deeper into the actual "how-to" details in a way that allows the reader to step forward with confidence and bring the dream of prefab straw bale into reality."
- Andrew Morrison, www.StrawBale.com

"While it is not possible to create a standardized, code-approved individual straw bale, the use of prefabricated straw bale panels manufactured in a quality-controlled environment offers a system that will have predictable design parameters. As a researcher, educator and practicing engineer I believe that Magwood has provided us with a practical reference that can provide guidance for students and design professionals who know that the future of sustainable building will be found in creative alternative building strategies."
- Kris J. Dick, Ph.D, P.Eng., Associate Professor and Director, The Alternative Village, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba

"A book that should be in the hands of every builder, designer, architect, code official and home owner who wants to see better buildings built. Incredibly accessible and technically thorough, it is not often that a technical guide is also such an inspirational read. Every builder, designer, architect, building official and environmentalist will benefit from reading and re-reading this book."
- Melinda Zytaruk, Fourth Pig Green and Natural Construction

" Essential Prefab Straw Bale Building just blew the doors wide open for straw bale builders. Building on his success with his book Making Better Buildings , Chris Magwood has again written a game-changing book for us natural building geeks. Straw bale construction has been criticized as a niche-y, one-off kind of housing typology. Panels are an incredible solution to scalability and replicability of building with straw. My gratitude goes to Chris again for doing the research and testing for us!"
- Emily Niehaus, founder/director, Community Rebuilds

Edition details

• Publisher: New Society Publishers
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0865718202
• ISBN 13: 9780865718203
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160