Future for buildings 16 -- Chapter 2 Philosophical and Technical Background 18 -- Environmental movement 18 -- Alternative technology 21 -- Utopias -- technology and society 22 -- Technologies and societies 34 -- Appropriate targets 35 -- Conclusion: the alternative-technology approach 41 -- Chapter 3 Autonomous House as Built 42 -- Why a house? 43 -- Site 46 -- House 50 -- Chapter 4 Theoretical Analysis of the Technical Options 67 -- A methodology for design 67 -- Structure 67 -- Building enclosure 86 -- Services 104 -- Chapter 5 Technical Options Implemented 140 -- Saving energy 140 -- Structure 141 -- Building enclosure 162 -- Services 172 -- Chapter 6 Performance in Use 191 -- Performance of the fabric 191 -- Ventilation 195 -- Space heating 196 -- Waste and water 212 -- Cost 228 -- Further research 231
Summary
"This book has a simple but revoluntionary message - that it is possible to live in a home which is inexpensive, kind to the planet, and which liberates its owner from utility bills. The Vales record the building of their house based on the principles of sustainable resources in the small town of Southwell in the Midlands. They document the philosophy, design and construction of a building without mains water or sewerage, but with the means to produce power from the sun, and the facilitites to collect drinking water from the rain." - back cover