Canadian architecture

Climax change!

Climax Change! represents the much-needed overview of how climate change and the current environmental emergency will affect the practice of architecture, both in terms of its design philosophy and rising opportunities to innovate and radically transform the current tenet of architecture’s aesth...

Creating cohousing

Cohousing balances privacy and independence with the benefits of living in community. This new book by the authors who brought you the "cohousing bible" invites readers into these sustainable neighborhoods, and provides practical tools for developing their own.

Data. energy. matter.

The work of Serero, through investigations of patterns found in nature, does not envision architecture to create new spaces, but rather as a strategy to unfold together patterns of cultural, social and spatial origins. Architecture, as a living organism, establishes a relationship between beings ...

Essential building science

Poor heat and moisture detailing are enemies of durability, comfort and efficiency in house design. Essential Building Science provides a visual, accessible introduction to the fundamentals of building physics and the skills to develop thermal and moisture strategies for creating better new bu...

Essential cob construction

Essential Cob Construction presents both hands-on and rigorous technical information on how to build code compliant, low-embodied carbon, and fire- and earthquake-resistant buildings from cob – a mix of clay, sand and straw. The definitive cob guide for engineers, architects, designers, contracto...

Essential green roof construction

Essential Green Roof Construction is a comprehensive, in-depth guide to building simple green roofs for houses and small buildings. Packed with detailed photos, illustrations, case studies, and code compliance advice, it offers clear step-by-step instructions necessary to create your own living r...

Essential hempcrete construction

Essential Hempcrete Construction is an illustrated guide to this affordable, renewable method, from procurement to finish. This indispensable manual covers material properties, applications, specifications, code-compliance and climate data, rounded out by step-by-step instructions and budgeting...

Essential light straw clay construction

Light straw clay is a code compliant high-performance, low-impact building material with insulation and moisture handling qualities. This illustrated guide to light straw clay for stud, timber, pole and other framing styles covers material specifications, best use, mixing, installation, retrofits...

Essential natural plasters

Essential Natural Plasters is the most comprehensive guide to making and using natural plasters for all types of buildings. It covers clay, lime, and gypsum plasters; waterproof tadelakt plaster; fibers and additives; interior and exterior use; substrate preparation; mixing, testing, and tinting;...

Essential prefab straw bale construction

Essential PrefabStraw Bale Construction is an illustrated guide to pre-manufactured bale walls. This manual covers the properties, applications, specifications, code-compliance and climate data, with step-by-step instructions and budgeting information for this development in sustainable building.

Essential rammed earth construction

Essential Rammed Earth Construction covers design, building science, tools, and step-by-step building methods for building with rammed earth - and, gravel, and clay or lime/cement binder packed into forms - in any climate with an emphasis on cold climates.

Essential sustainable home design

Essential Sustainable Home Design walks homebuilders through designing an environmentally friendly home. Covering what makes a building green, a criteria matrix to guide design, material, and systems decisions, working with code officials, and choosing sustainable materials to keep the project ...

Finding community

Finding community is as critical as obtaining food and shelter, since the need to belong is what makes us human. Iintentional communities or ecovillages are an appealing choice for like-minded people who seek to create a family-oriented and ecologically sustainable lifestyle—a lifestyle they are...

Histories of ecological design

This book documents the intersection of architecture and design with ecology, environmental history, policy, governance and law from the 19th century to today. It presents conflicting definitions and concepts of architects and designers and the parallel histories of their intellectual positions t...

Just enough

How the mindset of traditional Japanese society can guide our own efforts to lead a green lifestyle today.

Microhydro

Microhydro features the smallest version of the renewable engery technology dubbed the simplest, most reliable and least expensive way to generate power off grid. Highly illustrated and practical, it is a complete guide to designing and constructing reliable hydroelectric power systems.

Power from the wind - 2nd edition

The new carbon architecture

In The New Carbon Architecture, discover biomimicry-inspired innovations in construction – from wooden cities to mycelium insulation – that pull carbon from the atmosphere, heal the climate, and produce safer, healthier, and more beautiful buildings.

The senior cohousing handbook - 2nd edition

This handbook is for seniors who embrace the challenges and opportunities of growing old by creating a community of neighbours and friends in shared cohousing. Senior Cohousing describes a supportive, independent future outside of retirement villages and institutions.

The year-round solar greenhouse

Passive solar greenhouse design including material selection, building methods and how to store thermal energy. Case studies provide real-life inspiration, with guidance for building a durable, energy-efficient greenhouse. Variations include underground and aquaponic greenhouses and integrating ...