by Alan Wiseman | May 23, 2024 | Articles, Natural Materials in Architecture
Green roofing is a way to create a contained green space on top of a structure to support drainage, thermal performance, and biodiversity. This was standard practice in many countries for over a 1000 years. In cold climates, green roofs help retain heat and, in hot...
by Alan Wiseman | May 23, 2024 | Articles, Natural Materials in Architecture
Unbaked earth is one of oldest building materials. Half of the worlds’ buildings are built with unfired earth. Used in Ireland and UK in pre-historic times. Cob was the norm in Britain in 15th century especially in the southwest of England and Wales. There are...
by Alan Wiseman | May 23, 2024 | Articles, Natural Materials in Architecture
Strawbale construction is a building method that uses bales of straw as structural elements, building insulation, or both. Strawbale building originated in Nebraska in the 19th century and flourished until the 1940s’. The 1970s’ brought a revival of this natural...
by Alan Wiseman | May 13, 2024 | Articles, Book Review, Natural Materials in Architecture, Sustainable design
Conventional building construction uses a great deal of fossil fuel and non-renewable resources, while natural building offers a range of alternatives which use less energy and resources and create less damage to the environment. So Tom Whoolley, an aknowledged...
by Alan Wiseman | May 13, 2024 | Articles, Book Review, Sustainable design
Why another book on green design? asks the author in the preface to this simple and gently inspiring book. This book she says ‘intends to move you to action by giving you an understanding of the design process and decision making process’. The book is divided...
