Welcome to our online store!
You have no items in your basket.
Close
Filters
Search

Traditional Construction for a Sustainable Future

Author/EditorRyan, Carole (Author)
ISBN: 9780415467575
Pub Date07/01/2011
BindingPaperback
Pages374
Dimensions (mm)246(h) * 174(w)
$96.95
excluding shipping
Availability: Available to order but dispatch within 7-10 days
+ -

Since the spread of classical design and construction amongst the upper echolons of British society in the late seventeenth century, traditional construction methods have largely fallen by the wayside. Centuries later, as the construction industry faces up to its environmental responsibilities, this book explores its rich and ancient tradition to provide tried and trusted solutions to modern day construction problems.

By way of introduction, the ancient and historical lifestyles that dictated the nature of traditional construction are explored, before focussing on its health and ecological benefits. As well as cultural background, this book includes a detailed scientific description of traditional building materials and their constituents which draws a sharp contrast with modern petrochemical-based materials. The studies of traditional buildings included reveal the sustainability of features such as natural ventilation and breathing walls, and comparisons with modern construction methods show how they could prevent 'sick building syndrome'. The author argues that maintenance for long life, by contrast with the modern concept of life-cycle costing, is at the nub of sustainability and underlies the contribution traditional building construction can make to tackling climate change.

Over 250 original photos, and over fifty bespoke diagrams illustrate the features, techniques, and characteristics of traditional construction that could make such a valuable contribution to the industry today. The inclusion of a close study of how these methods relate to British building regulations makes this book a practical guide for construction professionals, as well as an authoritative resource for students and policy-makers.

Since the spread of classical design and construction amongst the upper echolons of British society in the late seventeenth century, traditional construction methods have largely fallen by the wayside. Centuries later, as the construction industry faces up to its environmental responsibilities, this book explores its rich and ancient tradition to provide tried and trusted solutions to modern day construction problems.

By way of introduction, the ancient and historical lifestyles that dictated the nature of traditional construction are explored, before focussing on its health and ecological benefits. As well as cultural background, this book includes a detailed scientific description of traditional building materials and their constituents which draws a sharp contrast with modern petrochemical-based materials. The studies of traditional buildings included reveal the sustainability of features such as natural ventilation and breathing walls, and comparisons with modern construction methods show how they could prevent 'sick building syndrome'. The author argues that maintenance for long life, by contrast with the modern concept of life-cycle costing, is at the nub of sustainability and underlies the contribution traditional building construction can make to tackling climate change.

Over 250 original photos, and over fifty bespoke diagrams illustrate the features, techniques, and characteristics of traditional construction that could make such a valuable contribution to the industry today. The inclusion of a close study of how these methods relate to British building regulations makes this book a practical guide for construction professionals, as well as an authoritative resource for students and policy-makers.

Carole Ryan is Senior Lecturer at Bournemouth University, UK, where she was until recently Director and Course Leader of the MSc in Building Conservation. Prior to that, she was Principal Conservation Officer and Director of Historic Environment for Shropshire County Council.

1. The Natural Way of Life, the Birth of the Traditional House and its Demise 2. Traditional Building Materials, their Sustainability, and the Contrast with Modern Materials 3. Traditional Sustainable Building Construction- Ancient and Modern 4. Thermal Performance and the Breathing Wall 5. Climate, Site and Thermal Performance 6. The Role of the Building Regulations in Traditional Building Construction 7. The Pathology of Traditional Buildings

Write your own review
  • Only registered users can write reviews
*
*
Bad
Excellent
*
*
*
Close
)
CLOSE