DataLife Engine - Softnews Media Group

Superbia! is a book of practical ideas for creating more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods. It is about remaking suburban and urban neighborhoods to serve people better and to reduce human impact on the environment.

For more than a decade the Red Feather Development Group, a volunteer-based organization, has built and repaired straw bale houses for Native Americans. Somewhere along the wayand this was certainly not the planthey created an architectural phenomenon: This inexpensive, environmentally sound, easily constructed, and downright beautiful form of building has

This practical guide is written especially for the owner-builder and provides step-by-step instructions supported by diagrams and photographs.
It covers the construction process from site preparation through to foundations, concrete slabs, strip footings and stumps. Special techniques for straw bale construction and the integration of these techniques with those of conventional house building are also covered, including floors, timber wall-frames, ceilings and roof framing. Advice is offered on plumbing and electrical work in a straw bale house.

Building with straw bales is being embraced by amateurs and professionals for its versatility, comfort, environmental friendliness and high insulation. New methods should expand its growing worldwide popularity.
Practical Straw Bale Building describes the best of current practices and introduces new ideas in a practical step-by-step approach, supported by technical data and analysis. Starting from how straw bales are made, it describes the building of both in-fill and load-bearing walls, discusses the properties of materials used to plaster the walls, and details how particular features are incorporated, such as windows, doors, arches, plumbing and electrical.

The experts at Fine Woodworking believe that good furniture design goes hand in hand with good furniture construction. "Practical Furniture Design" provides woodworkers with the advice they need to design their own projects by offering thoughtful insights on the design process, ideas for creating working drawings and information on how to solve construction problems. Each article in this collection, written by some of the best furniture designers and builders, is packed with practical and down-to-earth advice. The furniture types include tables, casework, cabinets, chairs and a selection of special-purpose furniture; illustrated with over 300 photographs and almost as many drawings!

Construction Today Magazine is one tool executives can use to navigate trends in this fast-paced business. This must-read publication covers timely issues such as the profound affect construction spending has on the U.S. economy, managing volatile material costs, LEED design and construction, emerging technologies such as BIM and work force retention.

Construction Today Magazine is one tool executives can use to navigate trends in this fast-paced business. This must-read publication covers timely issues such as the profound affect construction spending has on the U.S. economy, managing volatile material costs, LEED design and construction, emerging technologies such as BIM and work force retention.