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Use
Natural Materials
Your home is an extension of yourself. It reflects
how you feel about your environment and it nurtures you. Your home is
very much a part of you, just as the shell of a hermit crab becomes part
of the crab. Your home needs to "fit" your needs, give you protection
and comfort. Ideally it does all of this in a totally beneficial way.
Not all houses (or work spaces) are completely benign, and they can subtly
undermine our health. What constitutes a healthy (or unhealthy) home is
a very complex question. The best barometer for whether your home is healthy
or not is how you feel when you spend time there. If you feel vibrantly
healthy and truly enjoy spending time at home, then it's got to be good.
How you feel about your home can be influenced by many
factors. Air quality, temperature, noise, light, ambiance, vibes, etc.
can all affect your relationship with your home. Some of these affect
you physically, while others are more psychological.but of course these
two aspects affect each other.
It's good to be aware of some real hazards that are
often found in homes. The quality of the air is of particular importance.
There is an increased risk of air pollution when we seal the interior
space tightly against air infiltration from outside. This is because any
contaminants that are released into the interior air are more likely to
stay there. It used to be common for the air in a house to be replaced
on an hourly basis; now it is common for complete air exchanges to occur
only every six hours. So it is more important than ever to limit possible
toxins from within, and to assure some degree of fresh air exchange.
One way to hasten air exchange without diminishing
the thermal performance of a house is to create a breathable envelope.
This is easier done with some materials than others. Breathability is
virtually essential with straw bale walls, or the risk of rot from accumulated
moisture is too great. I have accomplished a breathable roof and wall
structure by combining bags of crushed volcanic rock with a plaster of
papercrete. Wood framed or sheathed buildings are trickier to make breathable
without jeopardizing the wood to rot from moisture; careful ventilation
must be provided.
From both an aesthetic and health point of view, I
recommend building with natural materials in the first place, and generally
introducing products of natural origin into your house. Among the natural
materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and benign I would include:
stone, glass, lime or mud plasters, adobe or rammed earth, bricks, tiles,
untreated wood (simple oil finishes can be used), cork, paper, reeds,
bamboo, canes and grasses, all natural fibers (linen, cotton, wool, etc.).
Surprisingly, old fashioned linoleum is more natural than I realized before
doing research for this article. It is made from powdered cork, linseed
oil, wood resin, wood flour mixed with chalk, and pressed onto a backing
of burlap or jute.
Besides the quality of the air other factors can affect
how your house makes you feel. Noise can be a big issue. Noisy appliances
can be particularly annoying. I once put a noisy refrigerator on a timer
so that I wouldn't have to listen to it when I was habitually seated near
it! Thick-walled, well insulated homes tend to be much quieter relative
to the outside environment. Having a quiet, reflective personal space
can be very rejuvenating.
Light and color are other elements that affect how
we feel. Both harsh, overly bright lighting, and dark, dingy spaces can
be oppressive. We want our homes to elevate our moods, not depress them.
Choose colors that you find soothing, or stimulating, whichever is appropriate
for the function of the room. Try to arrange for natural daylighting as
much as possible. We moved to Colorado from the Northwest, where people
bathed themselves with full-spectrum lights during the winter to avoid
seasonally affected disorder (SAD) from lack of sunlight. Blessed be the
sun!
Including plants in your living space can greatly enhance
the natural ambiance. Plants not only look nice, but they also release
oxygen into the air, and some of them can actually filter some pollutants
out of the air (spider plants are said to do this). Maintaining an indoor/outdoor
feeling with large glass areas looking out onto a patio can do wonders
to an otherwise confining space.
May your house be your sanctuary and your inspiration.and
may it do so healthfully! |
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Green Design: A Healthy Home Handbook by Alan Berman, 2008.
Architect Alan Berman helps his clients meld style with sustainability. Here, he offers all the information readers need to make environmentally responsible decisions for their homes. Fully illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and easy-to-follow charts, the book covers all the key topics, including floors, furniture, fabrics, and finishes, working with recycled materials, household appliances, home energy systems, and a reassessment of traditional design. An expanded and updated directory helps readers locate environmentally friendly materials and organizations.
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Prescriptions for a Healthy House : A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders & Homeowners by Paula Baker-Laporte, Erica Elliott, John Banta, 2008. Although there is nothing complicated about constructing healthier homes, building for health is still not standard practice, and in fact there are many aspects of conventional home construction that are detrimental to human well-being. From foundation to rooftop, to home care and repair, Prescriptions for a Healthy House takes the mystery out of healthy-house building, renovation, and maintenance by walking the owner/architect/builder team through the entire construction process. Chapters include: Frame construction alternatives; Thermal and moisture control; Flooring and finishes; Furnishings. The authors-an architect, medical doctor, and restoration consultant-bring a singular combination of expertise and perspectives to this book. The result-now in its third completely updated edition-is a unique guide to creating healthy indoor and outdoor spaces, including many new resources, as well as specialized knowledge from several nationally recognized experts in the field of building biology.
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Creating a Sustainable Home: A Practical Guide to Building, Remodeling, or Retrofitting Your Home for Healthy Living by Georgia Mayfield, 2009.
A complete guide to building a new home or renovating an existing one according to eco-friendly standards, this book will help even the most inexperienced retrofitter create a home that reduces environmental impact. Ranging from simple tricks and modifications to detailed instructions for major projects-such as installing solar energy panels, understanding the benefits of water recycling, designing for improved ventilation, and adding insulation to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling-this book provides practical and affordable solutions for improving energy efficiency and reaching sustainability through home design. Details on supplies and resources needed to create an earth-friendly home are provided and issues surrounding natural building methods are addressed in this one-stop resource to sustainable home design.
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The Natural Home: Stylish Living Inspired by Nature by Judith Wilson, 2008.
The collective consciousness is turning overwhelmingly green, and many homeowners are looking to live in a more ecologically sound way. That means introducing natural materials and substances into the home, designing it with energy-saving principles in mind, and looking more closely at sustainable sources, as well as recycled materials-but being natural doesn't have to mean sacrificing style. Describing a variety of natural decorative styles-from coastal and country to contemporary and retro-this guide reveals that the natural look is versatile and sophisticated. Offering inspirational decorating ideas that include advice on how to conserve energy and recycle-including how to choose surfaces, materials, furnishings, and accessories that are natural or naturally inspired-this book will help homeowners create their natural home.
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The Natural Plaster Book: Earth, Lime, and Gypsum Plasters for Natural Homes by Cedar Rose Guelberth and Daniel D. Chiras, 2002. For builders of natural homes (straw bale, cob, adobe, rammed earth, and other natural materials), this unique step-by-step guide takes the confusion out of choosing, mixing, and applying natural plasters. From principles to practicalities, and with every stage of the process illustrated, The Natural Plaster Book details the entire process of plastering with earth, lime, and gypsum for a long-lasting and durable finish. Cedar Rose Guelberth has studied architecture, design and construction for 30 years. A nationally recognized green and natural building educator and consultant, her business provides one-stop shopping for thousands of products nation-wide. Dan Chiras has several years experience of natural building and is the author of over 17 books including The Natural House (Chelsea Green, 2000). Dan is also the panelist on this website for the topics of solar heating and natural building.
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The Natural Paint Book, by Lynn Edwards , Julia Lawless, 2003. Without a doubt, Americans are increasingly aware of the dangers of toxins and pollution in our environment. To many of us, that simply means the outside world. But studies have shown that our indoor environment can be up to 10 times more polluted than our external one. Some of the biggest contaminants are toxic molds, chemicals released from carpeting, gasses released by manufacturing building materials, and conventional paints. Enter The Natural Paint Book, a comprehensive guide to making 100% organic, all-natural paints and finishes at home. The ingredients required, like gelatin, clay, and linseed oil, are readily available around the home or from your local home improvement store. Step-by-step instructions and detailed full-color photographs throughout show readers how to prepare the paints in their own color palette. There are also decorating tips on how to apply the paints to create a variety of rich, stylish-and health-conscious-finishes. Bonus material offers readers design advice for transforming their home into a personal sanctuary, and there is a full product directory at the end of the book.
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All About Lime: A Basic Information Guide for Natural Building by Charmaine R. Taylor. Many questions are answered in this booklet on lime and gypsum. Explained are the differences between Type S and N, when to use each, how to make a natural cement, dry up mud on the worksite, and stabilize soil for earthen bricks (for Cinva Ram block presses and others). Lime is an amazing, very versatile building material which can be used on the ground, foundation, walls; for plasters, mortars, cements, garden and land tilth, and in the waste/septic systems. Chapters on plaster and mortar give recipes and current recommendations on application and use. An interview with professional straw bale plasterers is included. A complete history details how lime was used for building, and how it can be used again for an earth friendly alterative to Portland cement. Lists lime resources, bibliography, with photographs, technical articles on lime usage, 52 pages. Photo shown is representation, book photos are black and white.
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Using Natural Finishes: A Step-by-Step Guide by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, 2008.
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Building with Lime by S. Holmes & M. Wingate, 2002. An extensive handbook for the construction uses of lime for floors, washes, wattle & daub, plasters, moldings, mortars and more. Clearly presented technical information, tests, and drawings. 312 pages, many b/w photos, illustrations. This is a great 'how to' book and makes a solid reference for your builder's library! Imported from the UK.
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Home Enlightenment: Create a Nurturing, Healthy, and Toxin-Free Home by Annie B. Bond, 2008. An informative, practical, and inspirational guide, Home Enlightenment examines the environmental impact of the choices we make each day and addresses how common, everyday chemical exposures have a subtle but profound impact on our well-being and quality of life. You'll learn how to detoxify your home one product at a time, choose environmentally friendly furnishings over products that off-gas, and establish day-to-day practices that bring healing and natural spirituality to your body and soul. Once you start to develop a natural and nontoxic lifestyle, you can transform your home into a sanctuary of health, comfort, and rejuvenation.
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Healthy Living Spaces: Top 10 Hazards Affecting Your Health by Daniel P Stih, 2007. Mold, chemicals, and "mystery" toxins affect academic achievement in schools and productivity at work. Did you know: Bleach does not kill mold. Ozone type air-purifiers damage your lungs. Vinegar is the best anti-microbial in the world. Healthy Living Spaces is your guide to simple and effective ways to feel good indoors. There are many things affecting our health. Fortunately, ninety-percent can be avoided by looking at the Top Ten Hazards Affecting Your Health. Learn how to: Prevent and eliminate mold Allergen-proof your home Get a good night's sleep Daniel Stih is a certified mold inspector, indoor environmental consultant and aerospace engineer. In this book, Healthy Living Spaces, he takes you on a journey to create a healthier living space, be it your home, office or school.
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Homes That Heal (and those that don't) : How Your Home Could be Harming Your Family's Health by Athena Thompson, 2004. Media reports focus increasingly on the declining health of children in industrialized countries. Asthma, autism, learning and behavior problems, and cancer are all on the rise. At the same time, there is consistent news about poor indoor air quality, mold and how buildings can make people sick. Homes that Heal addresses both of these developments, revealing that our own homes can contribute to many of these health problems. A passionate examination of our built environment and the alarming impact today's chemically polluted world is having on the health of present and future generations, Homes That Heal is easy-to-read, solutions-oriented and humorous, full of stories and advice that empower families to take back their health on a daily basis. |
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Creating a Safe & Healthy Home : Is your house putting you at risk? Here's what you can do about it by Linda Mason Hunter, 2005. Health and safety are a major source of worry to homeowners, and until now books on the subject have played to our fear while giving almost no practical advice on how to overcome these very real problems. Creating a Safe & Healthy Home changes all that. This remarkable book shows homeowners how to take back control and manage home health and safety in a responsible way. The book shows you how to diagnose common health and safety issues around the home, and gives practical techniques for correcting these potentially life-threatening problems. A wide range of home health and safety issues are covered, including carbon monoxide, radon gas, asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, water contaminants, and accident hazards. Making your home secure against intruders also gets an in-depth discussion. The heart of the book is in the practical, step-by-step instructions that show how to remedy these problems. You'll learn that you do have the power and ability to stamp out the hidden enemies that threaten the health and safety of your family.
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The Healthy Home : Beautiful Interiors That Enhance the Environment and Your Well-Being by Jackie Craven, 2003. You want a beautiful home, but you don't want to sacrifice health and comfort in the name of elegance. With The Healthy Home, you don't have to. You'll learn how to promote and protect your physical, mental, and spiritual health as well as that of the environment. You'll also find the technical information you need to create and maintain healthy living spaces for you and your family. You'll learn how toxin-free environments can reduce stress, address allergies and other ailments, boost vitality, and foster well-being. More than 75 full-color photographs illustrate attractive and creative approaches to healthy living. Use this book as your guide to transform your house into a gracious retreat that celebrates the good life and honors the environment. With The Healthy Home, you can turn any living space into a serene oasis where health and happiness flourish. |
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Designs for a Healthy Home: An Eco-Friendly Approach by Dan Phillips, 2003. A beautiful, inspiring, and practical guide to natural home design, Designs for a Healthy Home is an invaluable resource for homeowners with an interest in ecology and a desire to approach the environment responsibly. The book shows how to design and furnish homes that not only promote health and well-being but also reduce pollution and conserve natural resources. A healthy home is made from nontoxic recyclable materials; contains durable, multifunctional furnishings and fixtures; uses energy efficiently; and conveys a sense of connection to the natural world. The author explains how to make homes cofriendly by creatively using space, light, air, and water, along with environmentally safe building materials, energy-saving technology, and informed thinking. Techniques for experimenting with color, texture, and pattern to find simple, inexpensive, and stylish design solutions are also included.
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The Healthy Home Workbook: Easy Steps for Eco-Friendly Living by Kimberly Rider, Thayer Allyson Gowdy, 2006. A healthy home is one that's free of toxins and stocked with natural materials that are as good for the body as they are soothing for the spirit. The Healthy Home Workbook leads the way to creating a space that is friendly to the environment, reflects the owner's personal style, and won't break the bank. With the same engaging approach and sophisticated style that makes her a such a popular guest star of HGTV's Curb Appeal , Kimberly Rider clarifies eco-friendly design and makes recycling chic. Dozens of projects, such as identifying and replacing harmful cleaning products, caring for pets without chemicals, and choosing furniture and flooring made with sustainable materials, can be completed in a few hours, a day, or over a weekend. Room-by-room health specifics, from mold in the bathroom to electromagnetic fields in the home office, are addressed in a practical way, while informative reference sections help decode chemical additives in everything from bug spray to shampoo, and highlight earth-friendly materials. Gorgeous interior photography shows how to incorporate these healthful habits without sacrificing style.
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Using Natural Finishes: A Step-by-Step Guide by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, 2008.
 TirolessaUSA Stucco Sprayer
(available from Amazon.com). This stucco sprayer is a great tool to speed up your building process and save labor! Use with a minimum 7 cfm at 90 psi compressor (not included). For the larger jets, use at least a 12 cfm at 90 psi or larger compressor. This stucco spraying tool can be used to spray mortar, plaster, stucco, small scale shotcrete, papercrete, earthen mixes and more. It can be used for traditional plastering and many alternative building methods. It can apply plaster on strawbale, earthbags, insulated panels and thin shell ferrocement, shotcrete, and structural concrete insulated panels. This stucco sprayer is for heavy applications of 1/4" to 1" thickness. Typically it is used for brown coat, scratch coat, base coat, and slip coat applications.
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LINKS
naturalhomemagazine.com Natural Home Magazine's pleasing site.
hhinst.com very informative site for the Healthy House Institute.
healthhouse.org American Lung Association's site features information and links relative to healthy homes.
buildingforhealth.com diverse site for ecological building products, including, PV systems, lighting, appliances, floor coverings, wall coverings, paints, plasters, strawbale supplies, water filtration and storage, and much more.
naturalhomes.org lists workshops from around the world related to the use of natural materials for building.
buildinglime.org features articles and other information about the use of lime for building projects.
lime.org links directly to a very informative article about the use of limewash.
theownerbuilder.com.au an article about using natural paints.
ecowise.com sells lots of ecological products such as paints, furniture, appliances, filters, gardening supplies, and personal items.
built-e.com hundreds of green products for the home.
hempforus.com an informative article about the qualities and benefits of using hemp for building.
mudcrafters.com specializes in adobe floors and earthen plasters, with lots of pictures and descriptions.
newlifejournal.com article describing the desirability of breathability and non-toxic building, with a list of various building systems.
eartheasy.com very informative site with suggestions and products related to gardening, household, clothing, etc.
ecomall.com claims to be the "earth's largest evironmental shopping center" with links to green products.
thatching.com provides a wealth of information about, and is a source for, thatching materials.
sanftestrukturen.de exceptional, fanciful, delicate, extraordinary forms created with willows bundled together...this site is in German, but the pictures speak volumns!
phenixbiocomposites.com this company manufactures composite materials that utilize recycled paper, wheatstraw, soybeans, and other natural components, that can be used to replace wood for furniture and interior applications.
nisuscorp.com describes the use of borates to control pests in your house.
buildingconservation.com an excellent article about thatched roofs.
bambooandtikis.com bamboo and thatched products available in San Diego, California.
tirolessausa.com features a well designed sprayer for all types of natural plasters and stucco.
romanstucco.com features a bagged lime/pozzolan material to be mixed with sand for durable, breathable plasters. |
Traditionally, the native Americans enter their abodes from the east, so this where the airlock entry is situated. This large space can also serve as a closet and storage room. The large octagonal room is undifferentiated, but would serve as living, dining and ceremonial space. To the west is the master bedroom, with adjacent bathroom. To the left of the kitchen alcove is a large pantry that would be naturally cooled by its substantial earth berm. A second bedroom or studio faces the northeast. A large fenced courtyard area to the south provides privacy and wind protection. 
