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BUILDINGS by Eric Craypo |
1. DAVID EASTON'S RAMMED EARTH HOMES
Not many people have heard of rammed earth buildings, but they've been around for thousands of years. From the Great Wall of China to the Kasbah, these structures have withstood the test of time - now they're undergoing a renaissance in the US. This site, geared toward potential home builders, provides information on the history of rammed earth construction; environmental benefits; structural integrity; and photographs of recently completed buildings.
2. RESOURCE GUIDE FOR STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
Straw bale homes were first built by homesteaders in Nebraska more than 100 years ago. Today's builders have found that homes made of straw help to conserve forests (virtually no timber is used), require little energy to heat and cool, filter polluted air, and provide an almost soundproof living space. Sound too good to be true? Check out this site for historical photos; straw bale projects in progress; a masters thesis on straw bale homes (The Thermal Resistivity of Straw Bales for Construction); registry of organizational resources; and links to tons of related sites.
Everything you need to know about alternative building techniques and sustainable construction materials. A bit technical, but the information is presented in an easily understood format. Provides detailed analysis of building materials from stone to rammed earth to wood; describes system enhancements from rainwater collection to photovoltaics to composting toilets. Find out where to get non-toxic paints and other sustainable products. A must see.
4. US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - BUILDINGS
Tap into DOE's exhaustive and user-friendly set of links. From this catch-all site you'll easily access dozens of sustainable and energy efficient building projects; information on specific building methods; and technical data on DOE standards and guidelines; plus much more. Don't miss the link to House of Straw for a comprehensive look at straw bale construction: black & white photos, building performance charts and graphs based on U.S. location, insulation values, and a list of who to contact.
Not planning on building a new home anytime soon? Log on to the Lawrence Berkeley Lab's Home Energy Saver and find out how you can alter your current home to prevent pollution, save energy, and reduce your annual utility bill by hundreds of dollars. Visit with a virtual home energy advisor, take an energy-use test, determine how much you can expect to save given your type of house and area of the country where you live. A fun site.
Also see...Greening of the White House--for upgrades made to the Executive Mansion... Real Goods--lots of info on sustainable building, plus unusual items like how to adjust the flow of natural energy in your home with Feng Shui... Earthship Homes--houses made from recylced tires.
Eric Craypo researches and reports on environmental topicsfor the American Communications Foundation.