The EcoNest Home: Designing & Building a Light Straw Clay House (Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living)

An EcoNest is not just a home—it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This unique approach to construction combines light clay straw, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters, and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. By bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations, owners of EcoNests enjoy living spaces that reflect the best of both worlds. __The EcoNest Home__ is an in-depth exploration of the benefits of choosing this technique over conventional alternatives, combined with a complete practical guide for prospective designers and builders. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte draw on their own extensive experience to provide: * A detailed explanation of the nature-based science behind EcoNests * Fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through construction * Dozens of inspiring photos of completed projects The most comprehensive North American resource on light clay straw construction, written by its leading proponents, __The EcoNest Home__ is a must-read for anyone considering building their own healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly natural home. **Paula Baker-Laporte** and **Robert Laporte** are the creators of the EcoNest concept and the authors of __Econest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber__. Robert has built over fifty houses using the EcoNest system and has trained hundreds of professional builders and aspiring owner-builders in using the techniques. Paula has worked as the architect for the EcoNest Company for nearly two decades and is the author of __Prescriptions for a Healthy House__. "Every aspect of creating a beautiful, sensible, and healthy home is explored and demonstrated with elegance and clarity." —Martin Hammer, architect, co-director, Builders Without Borders An EcoNest is not just a home—it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This unique approach to construction combines light straw clay, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters, and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. By bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations, owners of EcoNests enjoy living spaces that reflect the best of both worlds. The EcoNest Home is an in-depth exploration of the benefits of choosing this technique over conventional alternatives, combined with a complete practical guide for prospective designers and builders. Authors Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte draw on their own extensive experience to provide: A detailed explanation of the nature-based science behind EcoNests Fully-illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through construction Dozens of inspiring photos of completed projects The most comprehensive, North American resource on light straw clay construction, written by its leading proponents, The EcoNest Home is a must-read for anyone considering building their own healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly, natural home. "A great new book for the ecological designer, builder and homeowner." —Sukita Ray Crimmel, coauthor of Earthen Floors " The EcoNest Home is made from well designed, sophisticated techniques rooted in simplicity. This book demonstrates the outstanding results that arise to their steadfast commitment to creating healthy, natural homes." —Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce, authors of Using Natural Finishes Step-by-step instructions to build your own beautiful, environmentally friendly, healthy natural home. An EcoNest is not just a home-it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This unique approach to construction combines light clay straw, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters, and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. By bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations, owners of EcoNests enjoy living spaces that reflect the best of both worlds. The EcoNest Home is an in-depth exploration of the benefits of choosing this technique over conventional alternatives, combined with a complete practical guide for prospective designers and builders. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte draw on their own extensive experience to provide: A detailed explanation of the nature-based science behind EcoNests Fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through construction Dozens of inspiring photos of completed projects The most comprehensive North American resource on light clay straw construction, written by its leading proponents, The EcoNest Home is a must-read for anyone considering building their own healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly natural home. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte are the creators of the EcoNest concept and the authors of Econest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber . Robert has built over fifty houses using the EcoNest system and has trained hundreds of professional builders and aspiring owner-builders in using the techniques. Paula has worked as the architect for the EcoNest Company for nearly two decades and is the author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House An EcoNest is not just a home—it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This unique approach to construction combines light clay straw, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters, and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. By bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations, owners of EcoNests enjoy living spaces that reflect the best of both worlds. The EcoNest Home is an in-depth exploration of the benefits of choosing this technique over conventional alternatives, combined with a complete practical guide for prospective designers and builders. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte draw on their own extensive experience to provide: A detailed explanation of the nature-based science behind EcoNests Fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through construction Dozens of inspiring photos of completed projects The most comprehensive North American resource on light clay straw construction, written by its leading proponents, The EcoNest Home is a must-read for anyone considering building their own healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly natural home. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte are the creators of the EcoNest concept and the authors of Econest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber . Robert has built over fifty houses using the EcoNest system and has trained hundreds of professional builders and aspiring owner-builders in using the techniques. Paula has worked as the architect for the EcoNest Company for nearly two decades and is the author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House . Front Cover 1 Praise 2 Title Page 6 Rights Page 7 Contents 8 Dedication 10 Acknowledgments 12 Foreword 14 Introduction 16 Section 1: The EcoNest Philosophy 18 Chapter 1: Defining the Biological Home 20 Chapter 2: Applying the Principles of Building Biology to EcoNest 34 Chapter 3: Designing Your Nest 64 Section 2: How to Build an EcoNest 90 Chapter 4: The Workshop Experience 92 Chapter 5: Foundation Systems: “A Good Pair of Boots” 102 Chapter 6: The Timber Frame 108 Chapter 7: Introduction to the EcoNest Light Straw Clay Wall System 122 Chapter 8: Matrix Framework 128 Chapter 9: Formwork 150 Chapter 10: Wall Production 156 Chapter 11: Delivery 176 Chapter 12: Filling 188 Chapter 13: Drying and Prepping for Finish 206 Chapter 14: Completing the Exterior Envelope 216 Chapter 15: Crafting the Interiors 236 Section 3: Case Studies: 2005–2013 254 New Baker-Laporte Residence, Ashland, Oregon 256 Prajna Yoga Studio, Santa Fe, New Mexico 264 The Hoffman Residence 271 EcoNest Stock Plans 277 Resources 280 Notes 284 Appendix A: Workshop Checklist 286 Appendix B: Door and Window Openings in Matrix 290 Appendix C: Excerpt from the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) 302 Index 312 About the Authors 320 Content: Acknowledgments -- Foreword by Sim van der Ryn -- Introduction -- Section I : The EcoNest philosophy : 1. Defining the biological home -- 2. Applying the principles of building biology to EcoNest -- 3. Designing your nest -- Section II : How to build an EcoNest : 4. The workshop experience -- 5. Foundation systems: "A good pair of boots" -- 6. The timber frame -- 7. Introduction to the EcoNest light straw clay wall system -- 8. Matrix framework -- 9. Formwork -- 10. Wall production -- 11. Delivery -- 12. Filling -- 13. Drying and preparing for finish -- 14. Completing the exterior envelope -- 15. Crafting the interiors -- Section III : Case Studies : 2005-2013 : 16. Portfolio -- Resources, notes and appendices : Resources -- Notes -- Appendix A : Work shop checklist -- Appendix B : Door and Window openings matrix -- Appendix C : Excerpt from the IRC Code 2015, Appendix R -- Index -- About the authors. An EcoNest is not just a home - it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology, bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations for the best of both worlds. This unique approach to construction combines light straw clay, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. The EcoNest Home is a complete theoretical and practical guide for prospective designers and builders "An EcoNest is not just a home--it is a uniquely beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This complete practical guide explains how EcoNests combine light straw clay natural building techniques with the principles of Building Biology, provides fully-illustrated, step-by-step instructions for designing and building your own, and is packed with inspiring photos of completed projects."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "An EcoNest is not just a home--it is a uniquely beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This complete practical guide explains how EcoNests combine light straw clay natural building techniques with the principles of Building Biology, provides fully-illustrated, step-by-step instructions for designing and building your own, and is packed with inspiring photos of completed projects."-- Provided by publisher