Natural Building
The Cobbers Companion - Michael G. Smith
The "bible" on building cob structures - very good.
Built by Hand - Bill and Athena Steen
This is basically the most unadulterated green/natural building book available, a must have or borrow for the natural building and design heads.
Building with Earth - Paulina Wojciechowska
A good book on earthbag construction, natural paints, earthen floors, and lime putties - very informative.
A Primer on Sustainable Building - Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Staff
A good introduction to front-loaded design techniques for builders, contractors, and DIYers.
Architecture for the Poor - Hassan Fathy
This book presents architecture as if people mattered - revolutionary.
The Timeless Way of Building
A Pattern Language
The Oregon Experiment
A New Theory of Urban Design - Christoper Alexander
Taken individually each book is informative and challenging. Take together, Alexander provides us with a set of tools and symbols that leas us to re-constructing true symbols and patterns for a permanent culture.
Handyman in your Pocket - Thomas Glover
Calculate roof angles, the specific gravity of chemicals, wire sizes, wind speeds, and plumbing schematics. A must own for the DIYer.
Stonework - Charles McRaven
A definitive modern work on dry stack and mortar for home and commercial applications. Covers many aspects in the creative realm besides just the nuts and bolts.
The Independent Home - Michael Potts
Independent case studies of owner built homes and their energy and water systems, very good.
The "bible" on building cob structures - very good.
Built by Hand - Bill and Athena Steen
This is basically the most unadulterated green/natural building book available, a must have or borrow for the natural building and design heads.
Building with Earth - Paulina Wojciechowska
A good book on earthbag construction, natural paints, earthen floors, and lime putties - very informative.
A Primer on Sustainable Building - Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Staff
A good introduction to front-loaded design techniques for builders, contractors, and DIYers.
Architecture for the Poor - Hassan Fathy
This book presents architecture as if people mattered - revolutionary.
The Timeless Way of Building
A Pattern Language
The Oregon Experiment
A New Theory of Urban Design - Christoper Alexander
Taken individually each book is informative and challenging. Take together, Alexander provides us with a set of tools and symbols that leas us to re-constructing true symbols and patterns for a permanent culture.
Handyman in your Pocket - Thomas Glover
Calculate roof angles, the specific gravity of chemicals, wire sizes, wind speeds, and plumbing schematics. A must own for the DIYer.
Stonework - Charles McRaven
A definitive modern work on dry stack and mortar for home and commercial applications. Covers many aspects in the creative realm besides just the nuts and bolts.
The Independent Home - Michael Potts
Independent case studies of owner built homes and their energy and water systems, very good.
