Table of Contents

Preface
Note on quantities
Brief biography
Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
Introduction

Why Issues
Why have an eco-home?

Where Issues
Climate and microclimatic considerations
New-build site choice and planning
Choosing an old building to eco-upgrade

How Issues
Keeping warm: minimising fabric heat loss
Keeping warm: airtightness issues
Keeping warm: heating
Keeping dry
Keeping warm and dry: implications for different types of construction
Keeping old buildings warm, cool and dry
Keeping cool
Keeping healthy: physical aspects
Keeping healthy: spirit and soul
Keeping the home safe
Whole-life access

What issues
Minimising hidden environmental impacts
Generating energy

When and who issues
Sequence of action and by whom?
Eco-building and eco-renovation: learning and doing

Appendices
Index

Promotional Information

The key principles of designing a pleasant, comfortable and healthy eco-home, using common-sense natural methods instead of relying on intrusive technology and hi-tech materials.

About the Author

Christopher Day has studied architecture and sculpture and has been committed to eco-architecture and an ecological lifestyle since the 1970s. He has received four design awards, including a Prince of Wales Award, for his work on eco-houses and Steiner schools. He pioneered a consensus design method, which has now been used in over 60 projects.

Reviews

This book is informative, and builders, designers or anyone planning a self-build project will find much useful information and advice.
*David Phythian*

Besides widening the eco-design debate beyond simplistic energy-conservation, this book describes complicated issues clearly enough for the most non-technical reader to understand.
*Prof. Dr Justyn Ochocki, Medical University of Lodz*

Christopher is the UK’s foremost practitioner of soulful architecture and place-making. I would urge anyone considering building a new house to read his latest gem, The Eco-Home Design Guide.
*Peter Stirling, Managing Director, Stirling Developments Ltd*

The generous use of illustrations and side notes makes this an easy to use guide, and it is a must-have reference for every architect, homeowner, and developer in the operation and construction of homes, retail, and office buildings.
*Richard Erganian, developer*

A delightfully accessible reach-for book. I find so many people blundering and wandering in circles on their eco house creation journey, this is just the thing they were missing.
*Vicky Moller, election candidate for Plaid Cymru*

A unique text in the study of the elements which constitutes effective, sustainable architectural de-sign for healthy living.
*Lino Bianco, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty for the Built Environment*

Christopher Day is one of Britain’s most outstanding holistic and ecological architects and this book is a timely gift when freeing ourselves from the dependence on fossil fuel has become an urgent imperative.
*Satish Kumar, Editor-in-Chief, Resurgence & Ecologist magazine*

This book is an ideal guide for those who wish to explore to the greatest depth the possibilities for designing their own eco-homes.
*Professor Chris Tweed, Welsh School of Architecture*

In The Eco-Home Design Guide, Christopher Day makes the technical simple even for non-scientific readers. With gentle humour, this most gifted of architects shares his vision of a living architecture, demonstrating that eco-design CAN be supremely nourishing for the soul.
*Susan Swire, Author of Secrets of the Feel-Good Home*

You could hardly find a better man to lead you through the challenging process of creating an eco home from scratch, or of renovating an existing building to meet eco criteria.
*Angela Neustatter, journalist and author of A Home for the Heart*