The Barefoot Architect: A Handbook for Green Building,, Shelter Publications, Inc., 2008,, 421, 705 pages. A former UN worker and prominent architect, Johan van Lengen has seen firsthand the desperate need for a 'greener' approach to housing in impoverished tropical climates. A Comprehensive Guide to Integrative Design and Construction Jacob Deva Racusin, Ace McArleton. “Bamboo Is Catching On Among Green Architects.

Synopsis • A former UN worker and prominent architect, Johan van Lengen has seen firsthand the desperate need for a 'greener' approach to housing in impoverished tropical climates. This comprehensive book clearly explains every aspect of this endeavor, includingdesign (siting, orientation, climate consideration), materials (sisal, cactus, bamboo, earth), and implementation. The author emphasizes throughout the book what is inexpensive and sustainable. Included are sections discussing urban planning, small-scale energy production, cleaning and storing drinking water, and dealing with septic waste, and all information is applied to three distinct tropical regions: humid areas, temporate areas, and desert climates. Hundreds of explanatory drawings by van Lengen allow even novice builders to get started.'

• THE BAREFOOT ARCHITECT is a book dedicated to helping economically-challenged tropical builders learn how to provide shelter, clean water, electrical energy, and sanitation by using indiginous, low-cost, sustainable building materials.A former UN worker and prominent architect, Johan van Lengen has seen firsthand the desperate need for a 'greener' approach to housing in impoverished tropical climates. This comprehensive book clearly explains every aspect of this endeavor, including design (siting, orientation, climate consideration), materials (sisal, cactus, bamboo, earth), and implementation. The author emphasizes throughout the book what is inexpensive and sustainable. Included are sections discussing urban planning, small-scale energy production, cleaning and storing drinking water, and dealing with septic waste, and all information is applied to three distinct tropical regions: humid areas, temporate areas, and desert climates.

Hundreds of explanatory drawings by vanLengen allow even novice builders to get started. He may be barefoot. He may be barefoot, but don't let that mislead you about his abilities regarding the establishment of everything from sustainable, personally built shelter to planning villages and small towns around sustainable ideas. Well thought out and well documented, with simple drawings and explanations.

The ONLY criticism I can think of for the book is its orientation. It is written by a guy actually building shelters and villages in the Southern Hemisphere, so he's constantly talking about orienting windows to the North for Heat or to the South for cool cross breeze. Its the exact opposite (which he always reminds you of) for the Northern Hemisphere. In terms of know how and CAN do. This book is the ultimate guide. HIGHLY recommended.

Descargar software mepdg designer. If you plan to build your own sustainable shelter, by yourself, out of locally found or scavenged materials, and you only intend to read one book on the subject, make it this one.