Glorious GREEN Books, Asheville Real Estate Readers Love These & So Will You,Part I

Ah yes! Glorious GREEN Books...books about sustainable practices, sustainable innovation in building and architecture, remodels that make sense and save cents...healthy living at home...and real estate...It's about time to add a few to the ever-growing library...catch up on some reading about the red hot green trend in real estate these days. But where to start?

I headed on over to Google to see what might work for us. At EcoBookNET.net I was amazed and delighted with what I found...What an incredible collection of glorious Green Books! ...

I have a number of these books in my collection. I am a Big Fan of William McDonough as you might know from reading my BLOG.I have his books.   I know Clarke Snell, (book notes on his book appear in Part I). I'm on the local Asheville Board of Directors the NLJ, a print publication that focuses on sustainable innovation and green homes and land with Clarke, so I even-have a signed copy of his book...But what to add?...and which would YOU find valuable? That's my question tonight. 

Take a look at this sampling , along with book notes (just below)  ... and, if you would be so kind, please
let me know which would be YOUR first pick! (and I'll tell you mine =))

Cradle to Cradle
by William McDonough and Michael Braungart                   

William McDonough and his business partner Michael Braungart (architect and a chemist in that order) look at how to re-envision the concept of waste, while preserving commerce . They have brought this concept into a number of very large corporations (such as Ford Motor Co.) and the results are astounding...and give all of us that essential thread of hope we can use today... actually doing good for the environment and their neighborhoods, and making more money in the process.

This may be my favorite handbook for sustainable innovation. Required reading for Asheville's green real estate  pros at our Firm, and recommended to our eco-savvy clients.

Healthy House Building for the New Millennium                                            
by John Bower

Looks to me as if Healthy House Building for the New Millennium shows you everything you need to know to build a healthy house. I like the idea that there is a good section on  how-to information for  remodeling in a healthy manner, too. Here in Asheville, NC, where we have so many amazing historic homes, this could be a big plus.

John Bower was awarded a Professional Achievement Award by Professional Builder Magazine and has been named one of the "Indoor Environment Power 50" - a Who's Who in the Indoor Environment Industry by Indoor Environment Review, and one of "60 Influential People, Products, and Events" in the home building industry by Professional Builder Magazine.

Rural Studio: Samuel Mockbee and an Architecture of Decency                            
by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean, Timothy Hursley (Photographer)

When Oprah points out a book, readers take note! And this book, and the work it details, has been featured on Oprah. It's a " revelation"  It displays, for the first time in book form, the accomplishments of one of the most celebrated architectural studios in America, the Rural Studio.

Led by Samuel Mockbee of the Auburn University School of Architecture. Mockbee ran this studio for ten years until sadly he died at just 57 of leukemia last year, a year after winning a MacArthur genius award.

Cohousing : A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves                                                                                     
by Kathryn McCamant, Charles Durrett, Ellen Hertzman

I am fascinated with this concept, especially as it pertains to senior cohousing
and the benefits  for elderlings.  I have written about this a number of times in my BLOG.

 IF the idea of a sustainable, friendly community of diverse ages and possibly not cooking meals every night appeals to you... you may want to read this book.

Cohousing is a , a concept that originated in Denmark in the early 1970s spread throughout Europe and is getting noticed in the USA. In fact, we have a number of projects based on the cohousing model in Asheville, NC .

Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture                                              
by David Pearson, William McDonough

As I said, I am a Big Fan of William McDonough...here's a chance to find out why.
If, like me, you are interested in design, designing or building which integrates the lessons of the past with today's technology to create structures where the land, the home, and the spirit are all in harmony, here's a book from my library you may want to include in yours.

THIS might be my pick for our Book Club read here in Asheville next month.

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The Straw Bale House
by Athena Swentzell Steen, Bill Steen, David Bainbridge, David Eisenberg         

I've had this book for years. One of my clients many years ago introduced me to this book...he was in the process of constructing a straw bale house and I got to watch the process. When you think of straw bale, you may envision a pasture with a  bunch of bales of hay and NOT what you see on the cover of this book.  But take a look at the cover and let your imagination soar.

This book is a guide to inexpensive, durable, earth-friendly construction that will stand ...The book is comprehensive, broadly covering why and how to build with straw and then focusing on  details.

Look for more books from my book shelf and Part II in the near future.

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