Paula Baker-Laporte

A good introduction to building with clay-straw. This has been used for centuries in Europe and has been tested as insulating better with fewer drafts and provides sound barrier while having no environmental toxins to outgas. There are some restrictions on its use: outside walls need protection from rain (an overhanging roof is sufficient, plus a plaster or lime coating) and from ground moisture (having a good foundation to get it above snow level or splashed rain).
Copiously illustrated with photos of the homes the authors have designed and/or built (all of which have a similar design, which makes reading each chapter repetitive) plus one built by another architect. I have actually been in one of the homes designed by Lou Host-Jablonski, the other architect. His designs are very different from those in the book and are more individually designed. The book may be a bit outdated in terms of new learning on how to build efficiently and sources of materials, but the basics are still relevant. Most markedly, the remarks of the owners about how much they love living in their homes is inspirational.
Includes New Mexico building code standards for clay/straw constructions (some states may need homeowner input in recognizing this as a safe method), a bibliography, index, list of builders/architects who are familiar with this method and sources of tools & nontoxic building materials (these last 2 sections are, of course, quite outdated).… (meer)