Econest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber - Softcover

Paula Baker-Laporte; Robert Laporte

Softcover

ISBN 10: 158685691X ISBN 13: 9781586856915

Publisher: Gibbs M. Smith Inc, 2005

Synopsis

EcoNest identifies homes designed and built respectfully, in appreciation of the harmony and beauty of nature and in a way that uses nature's resources so as to consume less energy, create less waste, nurture our health, and enrich our senses. A bird builds its nest using the materials at hand to create a perfect shelter for its bioregion. It doesn't fly to the next state for twigs nor does it build a home that is bigger than it needs. Instinctively it creates an environment that is nurturing, nontoxic, and free of synthetic chemicals. Like the bird, humans desire shelter that is cozy and nurturing, that satisfies the soul, mind, and body. This is the econest. A true econest also involves a timber frame and walls created with a mix of straw and clay. This unique method of green building avoids the typical problems involved with conventional building, such as industrial waste, excessive chemical usage, and inefficient synthetic insulation. Baker-Laporte and Laporte explain how to avoid the pitfalls of modern homes and how to avoid acute chemical sensitivity, and they focus on how to simply live in harmony with nature. EcoNest profiles ten different homes located around the country, including a floor plan with interior and exterior photos for each. Chapters include Building with Light Straw/Clay, The Elements of Econest Design and Construction, and Eight Common Questions About Econests. Paula Baker-Laporte, A.I.A., graduated from the University of Toronto, School of Architecture, in 1978. She has been active in a wide-ranging residential architectural practice based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, since 1986. Her previous books include Prescriptions for a Healthy House, and sheis a contributing author to A People's Ecology: Explorations in Sustainable Living edited by Gregory Cajete, The Healthy House, and The Art of Natural Building. Robert Laporte is the founder of the Econest Building Company and the Natural House Building Centre, and is author of Mooseprints: A Guide to Holistic Building. He served on the original board of directors for the Timber Framers Guild from 1985 to 1987. He is a professional builder specializing in earth, straw, and timber-frame structures. Robert and Paula's econest projects have been featured on HGTV and in several magazines, including Natural Home, Fine Homebuilding, Residential Architect, Organic Style Magazine, Yoga Journal, and The Inspired House.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"Econests are not only stunningly beautiful, they demonstrate completely sustainable living environments." --Tedd Benson, author and company steward of Bensonwood Homes
"Essential reading for anyone who desires to have a home that nurtures well-being."
--Helmut Ziehe, founder, International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

A bird builds its nest using the materials at hand to create its perfect shelter. It doesn't fly to the next state for twigs or build a bigger home than it needs. Instinctively it creates an environment that is nurturing and nontoxic. Like the bird, humans desire shelter that is cozy and nurturing, that satisfies the soul, mind, and body. This is what you find when you step into an econest.Beginning with a timberframe structure and walls created with a mix of clay and straw, EcoNest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber describes a unique method of green building that avoids the typical problems involved with conventional building, such as industrial waste, excessive chemical usage, and inefficient synthetic insulation. Design details such as which direction a home is oriented, what kind of lighting illuminates each room, and whether or not there is a step-down entryway are a vital part of creating each econest.Meet the homeowners of ten different econests around the country in regions as diverse as Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, and California who chose to build in appreciation of the harmony and beauty of nature, using nature's resources so as to consume less energy, create less waste, nurture their health, and enrich their senses.EcoNest invites you to experience a healthy and sustainable kind of building, avoid the pitfalls of modern homes and acute chemical sensitivity, and to live simply, in harmony with nature.Paula Baker-Laporte, A.I.A., graduated from the University of Toronto, School of Architecture in 1978. She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is a certified Bau-biologist. Since 1992, Paula has dedicated her practice to the precepts of environmentally sound and health-enhancing architecture. She is the author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House.Robert Laporte is the founder of the Econest Building Company and the Natural House Building Centre. He served on the original board of directors for the Timber Framers Guild from 1985 to 1987 and specializes in earth, straw, and timberframe structures. He has been designing and building natural homes in Canada and the United States and Scandinavia for the past twenty-five years.Robert and Paula's Econest projects have been featured on HGTV and in several magazines, including Natural Home, Fine Homebuilding, Residential Architect, Organic Style Magazine, Yoga Journal, and The Inspired House.

Edition details

• Publisher: Gibbs M. Smith Inc
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 158685691X
• ISBN 13: 9781586856915
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128