| Where to get 'em... | |
| -- Although many of the references listed below are still in print and can be obtained from "the usual sources," I would like to suggest that you try The Dirtcheap Builder. This on-line bookstore is maintained by Charmaine Taylor, a fellow fan of natural building technologies. She has gone to a LOT of trouble to obtain rare old books, videos, and other resources as well as reprint rights for many of the same. Her work is excellent and it deserves your support. Charmaine's on line store is at http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com | |
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The Rammed Earth House
Easton, David with photos by Cynthia Wright
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| -- This is without a doubt my favorite book about rammed earth and related subjects. Easton is a California architect and engineer with long experience in designing and building rammed earth buildings. Of particular interest is his lengthy and detailed discussons of formwork for rammed earth. Wright's excellent photos make this book a real delight to read. Easton's company, Rammed Earth Works, maintains a website at http://www.rammedearthworks.com | |
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Dwelling on Earth
Easton, David
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| -- This is an earlier self-publication by Easton. Its contents have mainly been rolled forward into The Rammed Earth House; one can see the evolution in thought and experiece. Hard to find, an interesting read if you can get a copy. | |
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Adobe and Rammed Earth Buildings - Design and Construction
McHenry, Paul Graham, Jr. AIA with structural engineering addendum in 4th ed. by Gerald W. May, Ph.D.
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| -- If there ever was a "guru" on the subject of adobe and rammed earth construction, the late architect Paul "Buzz" McHenry would have qualified. In addition to this book, Buzz published many others in the area of earthbuilding. He was a long time professor of architecture at the University of New Mexico and a devoted student of the vernacular earthen building practices of the Southwest. When I first became interested in earthbuilding, Buzz gave me some excellent advice on the subject, for which I remain most grateful. Buzz was the founder of the Earthbuilding Foundation, which formerly maintained a website at www.earthbuilding.com. This website is no longer in existence; if anyone knows where it can be found, please let me know so I can put up a new link. | |
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Buildings of Earth and Straw - Structural Design for Rammed Earth and Straw Bale Architecture
King, Bruce, P.E.
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| -- King's book covers a variety of structural and seismic design subjects with respect to rammed earth and strawbale construction. This book contains a good deal of useful information, but it is not recommended for readers who lack background in engineering, architecture, or construction. I am not aware of any website maintained by Bruce King or any affiliate organization. | |
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Earthbuilder's Encyclopedia - The Master Alphabetical Reference for Adobe and Rammed Earth
Tibbets, Joseph M.
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| -- Tibbets' book truly is a comprehensive encyclopedia of earthbuilding. Virtually every term pertaining to earthbuilding is defined therein, and many of the articles describe earthbuilding techniques at length. It is a worthwhile investment for those interested in earthbuilding. Tibbets is a master earthbuilder from New Mexico with many years of adobe and other building experience. He is also the proprieter of the Southwest Solar Adobe School, which holds excellent practical seminars on earthbuilding techniques at various locations in the Southwest. The Encyclopedia and information regarding the seminars can be obtained on Tibbets' website at http://www.adobebuilder.com This website contains a great deal of other information; browsing through it would be worthwhile. For the encyclopedia, the link is located at the bottom of the page and is entitled, "Adobe Earthbuilders CD." For the classes, click on the link entitled, "Adobe Classes." | |
| To Be Continued.... | |