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image of bird's nest
Watershed Media

Building with Vision is timely and extremely useful, a must-have resource for every architectural studio across the country.

— Sim Van der Ryn, architect

A lens into the future of building.

— Zahid Sardar, San Francisco Chronicle

quotes
 
Building with Vision front cover
 

Published in 2001, 136 pages. 8.5" x 9"
200+ original photographs
Written by Daniel Imhoff
Designed by Roberto Carra
Foreward by Randy Hayes
Introduction by Sim Van der Ryn
ISBN-0-9709500-0-4
Distributed by University of California Press
US $ 22.00
BUY NOW

 

 

Rammed Earth
This pneumatically-impacted stabilized earth (PISE) wall is being erected using the Rammed Earth Works continuous form system, utlizing high-density overlay plywood, rebar, and pipe clamps. The nozzleman blasts on the material while finishers quickly trowel it to a smooth surface. Excess material is often used to form pavers and other landscaping materials.

 

making a rammed earth wall

 

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Building with Vision — Overview

Combining environmental philosophy, practical information and dynamic visuals, Building with Vision makes accessible many solutions to wasteful tree-dependent construction and design. In addition to identifying the benefits, challenges, and applications of the recommended alternatives to contemporary American construction, this book details building methods to minimize wood waste, maximize efficiency, and emphasize the unique aesthetic properties of non-wood materials.

Part resource guide, part photo essay, this 136-page gem is packed full of beautifully composed, nearly tactile photographs that bring to life an array of alternative materials. Case studies highlight successful building projects that utilize innovative and effective framing, siding, insulation, roofing, and finishing materials and techniques.

Building systems featured include Rastra, a new kind of interlocking block made of recovered Styrofoam packaging; Structural Insulated Pales (SIPs) made of plywood; OSB or strawboard with a thick foam core; and a variety of "eco-Crete," super-insulating concrete systems. A wide range of finish materials are discussed as well; panel board made from agricultural crop waste, flooring derived from used tires, natural linoleum and certified woods, and cement countertops embedded with finds from the urban waste stream.

Overview  |  Abstract  |  Best Practices  |  Excerpts  |  Resources

 

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