Manual of Biogenic House Sections: Materials and Carbon

The book focuses on houses built from materials that sequester carbon, use materials with low embodied carbon, or reuse substantial amounts of existing materials to reduce global warming. It includes cross-sectional drawings, construction photographs, and introductory essays to highlight the importance of embodied carbon, vernacular plant-based construction, and the problems of contemporary house construction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2022
Publisher: Oro Editions

Understanding the significant contribution of buildings to global warming and the crucial distinction between embodied and operational carbon, this book delves into the construction of houses utilizing materials that actively sequester carbon, employ low-embodied carbon materials like earth and stone, or repurpose substantial existing materials. The book is organized by these materials, featuring life cycle diagrams that illustrate the transformation of raw materials into building components. By showcasing the unique properties of each material, the book demonstrates how architects can rethink the design of house sections.

The house was chosen as the focal point of these investigations due to its immense scale, its status as a platform for architectural experimentation, and its widespread prevalence. Building upon the methodologies of the Manual of Section, the book comprises newly generated cross-sectional drawings of 55 recently constructed, moderately sized houses from diverse locations worldwide. These drawings effectively convey the structural details and materials employed in their construction, making them accessible to readers. Additionally, each house is presented through exploded axonometric, construction photographs, and color photographs of the exterior and interior, providing a comprehensive visual representation.

Introductory essays establish the significance of embodied carbon, the role of vernacular plant-based construction, and the challenges associated with contemporary house construction. By drawing connections between the architecture of the house, environmental systems, and material economies, the book aims to reshape our building practices for the present and future.

Dimension: 279 x 190 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781957183091