"OUT OF THE WOODS" REVIEW

by Daniel James

This slender but well illustrated volume was published jointly by the Centre for Alternative Technology and the Walter Segal Self Build Trust. It is aimed at people considering self-build housing who have an idea about what they want but need detailed information so that they can begin to consult an architect. The 12.50 pounds price would therefore be the first investment made. It sets out the case for the timber frame, the options for design and construction, and a green materials guide. I was pleased to see that the ecological costs of both materials and heating systems were examined; for example it is estimated that steel uses 103,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per cubic metre in production, where as local air-dried timber only uses 110. The book includes good appendices with lists of contacts and suppliers.

Using the Segal method the resulting buildings stand on posts like short stilts at each loadbearing point, and a membrane weighted down with gravel covers the ground underneath. Therefore the ecological impact of the foundations is limited to a relatively small block of concrete under each post. The structure is lightweight enough to be lifted into place by a team of volunteers, but with appropriate design is sturdy enough to withstand high winds. The grid system that is used to plan lay outs enables standard sized materials to be used in the construction of breathing walls, such as 600mm panels, thereby minimising the need for cutting to fit. The authors claim that superinsulated and draughtproof walls can be built in this way for less than the cost of conventional masonry.

Most of the domestic designs resembled contemporary houses with relatively small windows and pitched roofs, but this probably reflects the tastes of the self builders rather than the limitations of the method itself. The designs for community centres and the like seemed more adventurous, with more imaginative use made of the method's design possibilities. There were plenty of photographs of turf roof houses, and one floating thatched building.

One disappointment was the absence of a section on how to raise the finance for a self build project when you don't have any money yourself. I believe that through the Walter Segal Trust self build projects by homeless people have been funded using state capital in the past, and this would seem far better for all concerned except bed & breakfast owners.

Generally I would say this book is a welcome addition to the available literature on ecological building.

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