If you live in the UK, this is a absolutely 5star, if not its still very very important book - Rated 
Well, I guess most users have rated and commented the book as it is.
This is a very technical, almost catalogue-like book. WIth lots of boxes, pictures, oportunities to contact, tips to save and to care anout the earth when building. And has a very earthy, pratical, pragmatical and action-oriented taste. It has lots of advirtsements of building companies, architects, enviromental agencies, funding and grants which will give your bulding or living experience, an almost thrilling taste!
If you like in the UK, this is a absolutely MUST have. Even if you are not into building. Since this book will teach you a lot. A lot of oportunities around yur country.
IF you live like me, in another country, this is a much useful book, but you will be jealous of wanting to build a house in the UK with such a variety of enviromental-oriented groups and agencies!
Technical and inspiring. Not that rare inspiration like the self-sufficiency bible, but still is a much updated book on green building and houses.
A great technical primer for sustainable construction - Rated 
The Green Building Bible (now in its 3rd edition), matching the recent rapid growth in interest and activity in sustainable construction methods, has grown coniderably in breadth (volume 1) and depth (Volume 2).
Whereas in Volume 1 over 40 authors were together responsible for putting together a veritable encyclopaedia on green building in Volume 2 a principle author, Richard Nicholls (with three contributing authors), has been asked by publishing editor, Keith Hall, to compile a comprehensive set of guidelines to help readers put ideas into practice. Richard Nicholls is an applied physicist and course leader on the MSc in Sustainable Architecture at Huddersfield University with experience in the field of delivering energy efficient solutions to buildings.
Volume 2 is described as providing "in depth technical information and data on the strategies and systems needed to create low energy, green buildings." Whilst Volume 1 guides the reader directly to volume 2 for further reading in its various chapters where applicable, this book does also stand on its own as a useful reference book for the serious minded professional. Whilst this is very much a text book it is certainly not just for students and professionals in the field. In each of the eleven chapters the focus is on optimising design and build methods to reduce energy consumption whilst also dealing with the related challenges of minimising carbon emissions. The outcome is that a reader can be fully informed in the technical aspects of optimising energy efficiency in buildings - importantly balancing the sometimes more emotional `back to nature' area of green construction (we need both approaches of course!). For the general layperson who is interested in the technical details they can pick up the scientific facts to verify for themselves what value there is in micro wind generation and PV panels or indeed all the other options that can bring together the ultimate energy efficient building. I would also have also personally liked reference to real-life projects where the various approaches under the various chapters had been addressed - although this need is fulfilled, at least in part, through the pages of volume 1.
The scope of the book is technical rather than architectural (although there are sections covering site and building form). Whilst designing energy efficiency into our buildings does require a holistic approach which integrates all the chapter headings of the book I would have liked, certainly for the less technically minded, an overview of the key elements within each area (of services, materials in construction etc.) summarising priorities to deliver the most viable energy efficient strategy.. As each householder in the country is now being called on to provide an energy performance certificate when it comes time to sell their home (from June 2007) the material covered in this book is of increasing importance for all. In this regard there is a very helpful ready reckoner on the energy efficiency (and pay back) on various insulation options for walls and lofts.
As with volume 1 the book is in colour throughout and includes extensive graphic images relating to technical building design and services along with supporting data. This book deserves to be read widely within the construction world, and particularly by those entering it, whether at college or on site.
'All you need to know about ecobuilding' - Rated
The Green Building Bible (now in its 3rd edition) claims to be `all you need to know about ecobuilding'. As the starting point to living a more healthy, sustainable and autonomous life is the roof over our heads, at home or at work, this now highly comprehensive book is a very important reference point to guide `layperson' and building professional alike. It would be difficult for any resource (web or paper-based) to fulfil the `all you need to know' claim, however the GBB is as close as it gets - and the fact that this 460 page compendium (full colour throughout) is available at a very modest [price] is a major achievement (and the ideal Christmas present for an eco expert or novice). It can certainly claim to be a unique book for the UK green construction world and given thoroughly researched contributions from over 40 experts in the field it can hopefully help fulfil an important role in mainstreaming green building techniques and know-how.
The size and scope of this edition completely dwarfs the previous edition published in 2005 and its many authors have all been clear and concise in the fully researched information given on the topics covered. The book commences with an introduction from Sue Roaf headed `for sustainability read survivability' setting the tone for the opening 30 pages of big picture' issues and challenges (climate change, peak oil. green energy &c). Over 400 pages later the main body of the book ends with six magnificent pages on the construction of natural swimming pools! In between the main themes are followed in an orderly way covering the emerging trends within green construction, taking you through the fundamentals of green design and sustainable living. The chapter `Greening commercial' makes a compelling case for more sustainable approaches within the commercial/office sector followed by a chapter covering the various styles of construction (cob, straw bale through to passive house and offsite construction). 100 pages on products and materials are then followed by an excellent chapter on the outdoors covering subjects such as rainwater harvesting and encouraging wildlife.
There is a range of case studies on construction projects and applications of specific products and renewable energy approaches - with only two housing projects covered future editions might expand on this area; how about getting the inside track on David Cameron's conversion of his house in Notting Hill?! There are three personal stories on the theme of `Its not easy being Green' (following the theme of the recent BBC series) and the mix of personal stories and technical and general information throughout the book means that there is something here for most readers interested in the overall subject matter (according to recent polls over 80% of us in the UK!). Each topic is covered in typically 3-6 pages. The photos and colour diagrams add a richness to the information and the extensive web references and further reading suggestions provide the perfect entry point for each topic (over 100 specific topics are covered in the book).
A book as comprehensive as this would benefit from a `how to use' section (to guide in particular a `first-timer' into how to best prioritise the steps to greening their personal environment), however part of its appeal is that by dipping into any section you can within a couple of minutes start to be inspired by practical actions that can be taken now and future projects to dream about. The editors have clearly included as much as they could within their allotted space and `under a tenner' price however it would have been nice to have seen, within the excellent new `Trends and Direction' chapter, a section on emergent new or revived construction methods from the perspective of UK University research departments working in this area. Also the implications (and potent opportunities) of the fact that every house in the country from next June will, when placed on the market, need an energy performance certificate could have been aired here also. However this book is incredibly comprehensive and is a `call to action' for all those aspiring to greener and more sustainable buildings - as part of our collective need to reconnect to the natural systems of which we are a part for, as Sue Roafe points out, our own `survivability'. Finally, for those in the academic world this book (and its companion volume 2) would make an excellent primer for all building and construction students - it would be good to see copies in all campus libraries!
Outstanding Buy - worth every penny - Rated
The first edition of this "Bible" proved a good read and became an invaluable resource aimed at the self builder and all those concerned about environmental issues connected with housing. It covered self build, recycling, thermal insulation,sustainability in forestry, solar heating and eco design. It had several pages of useful contacts and a separate directory listing individuals and companies involved in green building, both in the UK and Ireland.
I felt that future editions would simply echo what had been said before, but this is simply not the case. This second Edition is outstanding and refreshing. Although the basic message of caring for the the Environment is not lost, there is a fresh sense of purpose,convergence of ideas and clear perspective which makes itself felt from the very first few pages. It's not just about reducing U values or avoiding PVC or tropical hardwoods, even though all these strategies will certainly help. What the Editor, Keith Hall, and his other contributors have achieved is to paint a broad canvas of how the various factors in green building are interlinked. What I particularly like is their acheivment of being at the cutting edge of what is happening in green building success, both from a technological point of view as well as ideological. There is a wealth of information about materials, products, embodied energy, CO2 emissions and the like. There is an interesting article about heat losses from buildings which touched upon the new European 'Energy Performance in Buildings Directive' (EPBD) and how this will radically change building regulations in the UK. They provide us with enough information to make informed decisions by example. Some forty odd articles cover a an entire range of subjects including; low energy construction, insulation, sustainability, renovation, recycling and much more.It includes excellent reviews of recently published books which cover specific topics in greater depth. There is a separate section listing non profit making green building organisations in the UK. Some, such as the Forestry Stewardship Council (who run one of the very few independent global forestry certification schemes) are doing very commendable work. An impressive directory is included listing individuals and businesses involved with green building. Reading between the lines of some of the articles in the GBB, I have a sense that this is a publication which has a strong commitment to exposing some of the 'greenwash' which exists in the building industry from those who play lip service to 'green' products. GBB is an OUTSTANDING PUBLICATION -Worth every Penny and more! Bri April 2005
Green Building Bible - Rated
Here is a timely and essential book for those interested in, or concerned with, green building. Packed with information and resources to help research or realise their own Eco-Building projects. It covers everything from concepts of sustainable design through to healthy buildings, energy efficiency, materials selection, renovation, low impact design, ecological approaches to service provision and much more. Aimed primarily at the UK market there is an extensive review of green building organisations and comprehensive on-line guides for both home-owner and the building professional. There are listings of professionals and trades people around the UK and listings of products and trade organisations. Packed full with information and inspiration and there are many references to further reading and sources of information. Even though it contains advertisements from green building companies, these add to the readers satisfaction by enabling them to familiarise with and access the products and services required to see through their dreams. Compact and comprehensive, this book is a 'must' for everyone concerned or interested in the impact of buildings on the environment.
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