By Myscha Theriault
Whether it’s here at the lake, elsewhere, or both, my husband and I know we want to build a home from scratch some day. We also know we want to do our ecological part when we do so. With all of the information floating around out there, our heads were starting to spin whenever we looked into the subject. So when a colleague at Chronicle asked if I was interested in checking out a review copy of their new green design title by Suzi Moore McGregor and Nora Burba Trulsson, I was truly relieved that some guidance might be in my immediate future. Read on to see what I learned, and whether this book is for you.
Basically, this book covers four main categories of sustainable architecture, gives some real life examples of each, and addresses the circulation (and consequently health) differences between modern construction practices and certain indigenous methods. It also provides some seriously attention-grabbing information regarding the data on global energy use for buildings in general.
For example, according to the Worldwatch Institute, an organization featured in the introduction, buildings account for forty percent of all material resource flow in the global economy, and forty percent of all the energy use. Forty. Damn. Percent. I don’t know about you, but this figure completely blew me away.
When I think about how many people in the third and developing worlds don’t even live in structures, and how many others are living in tribal or scavenged housing, the thought of what it will take to construct housing for those in emerging economies . . . the mental picture is staggering. Granted, the book addresses that these figures account for the waste and resources consumed throughout the entire life cycle of a building, rather than just construction costs. But how long have these numbers gone unaddressed and unrecognized? Particularly when an apparent and jaw dropping forty percent of our entire planetary wealth is spent on structures alone. Shocking. At least for me.
Four types of sustainable design?
Adobe.
Familiar at least in name to many, this construction method has been used in many places around the world for thousands of years. Clearly not a design fad. It does however, require a certain number of sunny days for the bricks to form. So this eliminates certain climates from being eligible. For lots of individuals though, this is certainly an eco friendly and (if you can embrace DIY bricks) affordable option.
Rammed Earth.
Also used for thousands of years, this technique has the capacity of being used as far north as the latitudes of France, Germany and England. Rammed Earth is also quite flexible as a medium and has been used in private executive-style residences, factories, churches and third world housing. It can cost a bit more than adobe however, so make sure you are comfortable paying the extra premium for ecological responsibility. Concerned about the differences in design parameters between this and adobe? It’s covered.
Straw Bale.
Though it apparently took some time before industry big-wigs considered it worthy of financing, insurance and building permits, straw bale construction is finally coming into it’s own, according to these authors who also cover the differences between the two main types of straw bale wall assembly. Of note? These buildings are only suitable for certain types of climates, so make sure yours qualifies.
The Combo.
This category includes reinvented, recycled and high tech materials, combined with local resources. Definitely suitable for a loft-style interior, this style promotes the use of salvaged pieces, industry by-products, and all of the latest technology and sustainable products. Loads of room for creativity with this option, and certainly useable in various climates.
Curiosity, economics, ecological responsibility, design preference . . . whatever your reasons for exploring sustainable architecture, I think you’ll find more here than in your average coffee table book. I know I sure did.
Particularly recommended to those just starting to consider their eco building options and those curious about the interior design options for each.
译文:
《家居——可持续建筑与设计》书评
文/米斯卡·瑟里阿特
无论是在湖边，或是其他地方，或两者兼而有之，我丈夫和我都知道总有一天我们要从头开始建造一个家。我们也清楚我们建房子时所要负起的生态环境责任。每次我们考虑这问题，总会被汹涌而来的各种信息弄得头昏脑胀。所以当有个在Chronicle出版社工作的同事问我有没有兴趣评论一下那本赠阅本时，我的确感到十分欣慰。那是由苏斯·穆尔·麦格雷戈（Suzi Moore）和诺拉·布尔巴·特鲁孙（Nora Burba Trulsson）题名的一本关于新绿色设计的书，上面一些指引我也很快能用得上。读下去你就会知道我都学到了些什么，知道这本书是否适合你。
这本书基本上谈到了四种主要的可持续建筑并分别举出了实际例子，还列出了现代建筑与某些本土建筑之间通风系统的差异（这影响到健康状况的差别），也提供了一些相当引人注目的资讯，例如有关大多数建筑在全球能源利用方面的数据。
举例来说，根据该书序言当中提到的世界观察研究所的数字，建筑占据了全球经济当中所有流动资源的40%，也占据所有能源利用的40%。足足40%啊!不知道你是怎样想的，不过这数字可把我完全压倒了。
每当想到第三世界与发展中国家，有多少人甚至仍无栖身之所，多少人还生活在部落里或在随便清扫出来的房屋当中，想想那些新兴经济体的房屋建造会有多大花费……真是触目惊心。即使该书说道，这些数据涵盖了建筑的整个生命周期的废物及资源消耗，而不单单是建筑成本。但是人们什么时候起就对这些数据不闻不问呢？其中尤其是全世界财产的整整40%都只是用到建筑上面，这一项数据就让人目瞪口呆了，起码我就被吓到了。
四种可持续建筑设计？
用土砖
起码大多数人都熟悉这名称。这种建筑材料已经在世界各地沿用几千年，的确不是什么新的设计时尚。然而，制造砖坯需要一定量的日照，所以这种方法不适用于部分气候地区。对于大多个人来说，这无疑是环保而廉价的选择（如果你自造砖头的话）。
用夯土
同样也用了上千年，这种技术应用广泛，往北直到法国、德国和英国所在的纬度都能找得到。夯土作为一种设计材料用法也十分灵活，已被应用到私人办公住所、工厂、教堂、还有第三世界的住房建筑。不过夯土要比砖头贵一些，所以要确定你愿意为生态环境支付这额外费用。担心夯土和砖头之间设计参数的差异吗？书上就有详述。
用草砖
这些作者说，虽然工业巨头们得要花上点时间来考虑这种材料是否值得投资，值得为之争取保险和建筑许可，但草砖建筑最终也得以面世。他们也谈到了两种主要草砖墙体组装的不同之处。有什么要注意的吗？有的，这些建筑只适用个别气候类型，所以要确保它能适应你的气候。
用混合材料
这一类材料包括重新创造的，循环利用的，高科技的材料，外加当地资源。无疑这些材料适合于高档的内部装饰。另外这种材料将会促进废物利用、促进工业副产品、所有的最新技术和可持续产品的利用。这种设计材料创新空间十分广阔，并且适用于各种气候。
出于好奇、出于经济学考虑、出于生态责任，又或者是出于设计偏好……无论你探索可持续建筑的理由是什么，我觉得你在这本书中的发现会比其他茶几上普通的杂志要多得多。我个人收获甚丰。
非常推荐此书给开始考虑要建造生态建筑的每个人，还有对于室内设计感到好奇的每个人。