Athens, Lucia.  Building an emerald city: a guide to creating green building policies and programs.  Island Press, 2010.  198p index afp; ISBN 9781597265843 pbk, $30.00. Reviewed in 2010aug CHOICE.
47-6674 HT243 2009-10657 CIP
  
Seattle has one of the world’s highest counts of buildings with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. As the former manager of that city’s pioneering Green Building Program, Athens has infused Building an Emerald City with practical insights about how municipalities can create such a program. Oriented toward those who want to develop a municipal green building program, the book is organized into eight chapters that delve into the process. These chapters rationalize the need for green building and the value of government participation; offer an overview of marketing needs, organizational dynamics, and strategies for collaboration; discuss the development of products and services to overcome barriers to implementation; and provide green building program assessment activities. The book is filled with tables, charts, and black-and-white illustrations that complement the text. Appendixes include “City of Seattle Public Projects Green Building Portfolio,” which describes ten green projects (including the famous Seattle Central Library), and “Green Building Certification Tools.” Athens, now an associate at the Seattle architectural firm CollinsWoerman, has created a useful handbook that green building enthusiasts will welcome. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. — E. H. Teague, University of Oregon 

Baham^D’oón, Alejandro.  Rematerial: from waste to architecture, by Alejandro Baham^D’oón and Maria Camila Sanjin^D’eés.  W.W. Norton, 2010.  339p bibl index; ISBN 9780393733143 pbk, $49.95. Reviewed in 2010sep CHOICE.
48-0085 NA2542 2009-31713 CIP
 
People’s level of consciousness about the built environment grew dramatically during the past decade. Individuals of all ages changed their habits to address concerns about the waste they generate. Rematerial places the spotlight on a movement, presented as constructed works, projects, and comments by a wide range of professionals from around the world; all explore a theme fundamental to the environmental debate–the reutilization of waste for architectural purposes. Independent scholars Baham^D’oón and Sanjin^D’eés provide a wonderful publication that shows about 35 examples of successful projects, all stemming from the intention of giving new life to what had been thrown out. Before opening the book, this reviewer’s inclination was to ask what these people were doing with garbage. However, this book’s topic is anything but garbage. Ingenious uses exist for recycled materials that have been tossed into landfills for decades. The wealth of color photographs, architectural drawings, and line diagrams do an admirable job of explaining these projects and reinforcing the significance of their solutions. This volume is appropriate for all levels of readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers. — R. P. Meden, Marymount University 

Bokalders, Varis.  The whole building handbook: how to design healthy, efficient, and sustainable buildings, by Varis Bokalders and Maria Block; tr. by Susanne Kredentser and Miles Goldstick.  Earthscan Publications Ltd., 2010.  689p bibl index afp; ISBN 9781844078332, $192.00; ISBN 9781844075232 pbk, $77.95. Reviewed in 2010sep CHOICE.
48-0086 NA2542 2009-2968 CIP
  
“Sustainable planning and building require a holistic perspective based on a comprehensive and integrated approach, and an understanding of the different parts that are important for the whole.” This is the thesis set forth in The Whole Building Handbook, by ecological architects Bokalders and Block. The authors believe this book is crucial based on the “overwhelming scientific evidence that environmental problems are a serious global threat.” The volume is based on four fundamental aspects, which became chapters: “Healthy Buildings,” “Conservation and Efficiency,” “Ecocycles,” and “Place.” These intertwined aspects of existence on planet Earth offer new ways of understanding some of the most critical problems facing cities, suburbs, rural areas, and natural habitats. The chapters are subdivided into four additional units covering everything from construction materials to clean water, renewable electricity, and social fabric. The sheer scientific and engineering comprehensiveness of this book (originally published in Sweden in 2004), coupled with its readability, make it a must for anyone wanting to acquire new knowledge and information about the broad, multidisciplinary field of sustainability. Policy makers would benefit greatly by reading it. The chapters are very well illustrated with photographs and easy-to-understand diagrams. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. -–
L. B. Sickels, formerly, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 

Bosselmann, Peter.  Urban transformation: understanding city design and form.  Island Press, 2008.  310p bibl index afp; ISBN 9781597264815  pbk, $45.00; ISBN 9781597264808, $90.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2009jun CHOICE.
46-5446 HT110 2008-13301 CIP
 
At a time when urban planners are too often driven by statistics and obsequious to whatever real estate developers request, and when those developers are more likely to be driven by quick, lucrative returns than by creating sound, long-term investments, it is refreshing to see a resurgence of ideas that focus on the physical form of cities and how that form can be crafted to benefit people. Bosselmann (Univ. of California, Berkeley) brings firsthand knowledge of cities worldwide to the fore in this rich comparative study. At the same time, his focus is not on grand designs, but on commonplace elements that humans find appealing. His examination of the physical world is closely tied to the human one. The approach to urban design he advocates is especially relevant as many cities court greater density for economic survival and for sustainability. The lessons are no less important to cities where the pressures for growth are high and the need for sensible practices urgent. Urban Transformation deserves to become a basic guidebook for architects, landscape architects, and planners, but no less so for decision makers and for citizen activists whose vigilance is often crucial to the desirability of place. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers. — R. Longstreth, George Washington University 

Drew, Philip.  New tent architecture.  Thames & Hudson, 2008.  208p bibl; ISBN 9780500342435, $60.00. Reviewed in 2008nov CHOICE.
46-1298 NA4160   MARC
 
Offering a comprehensive survey of some of the most impressive membrane and tent structures around the world, New Tent Architecture is one of the few recent, major publications to thoroughly examine contemporary tent architecture. Drew (architectural critic and author of several architecture monographs) begins with a thorough explanation of how tent structures fit within the realm of architecture. He presents a broad overview of the origins of tent structures, beginning with the history of nomadic cultures and “cultural resistance zones.” The bulk of the work centers on emerging trends in shapes, materials, and design by presenting several recent projects that use membrane structures. These 30 projects are grouped by theme and attractively presented with detailed descriptions, photographs, and drawings. Novices will appreciate the clear, concise writing style and the glossary with terms specific to membrane and tent structures. In addition, an extensive bibliography with books, journals, and case-study Web sites is included. This volume is a necessary acquisition for all libraries that cater to architecture, design, environmental design, and structural engineering students and professionals. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. — L. A. Ganster, University at Buffalo Libraries 

The Green building bottom line: the real cost of sustainable building, ed. by Martin Melaver and Phyllis Mueller.  McGraw-Hill, 2009.  359p index afp; ISBN 9780071599214, $69.95. Reviewed in 2009jun CHOICE.
46-5564 TH880 2008-34435 CIP
 
This book is constructed around the theme that a concerted effort by the professionals of many disciplines is the foundation for a set of viable green building practices. Contributors in this 10-chapter volume examine the concept of green buildings from many different perspectives. Although most of the chapters deal with the design of new buildings, one chapter addresses the enhancement of existing buildings in light of green building concepts and discusses interior as well as exterior enhancements. The remainder of the work focuses on the economic attractiveness of the green concept and the administrative means by which the green concept should be implemented. Economic value is addressed through examples that demonstrate the cost-benefit aspects of the concept. Administrative issues include proper hiring practices, work processes, marketing techniques, funding strategies, and legal considerations. This book will be especially useful for experienced and senior professionals who are charged with designing, constructing, or retrofitting green buildings. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. — P. F. Rad, formerly, Stevens Institute of Technology

A Handbook of sustainable building design and engineering: an integrated approach to energy, health and operational performance, ed. by Dejan Mumovic and Mat Santamouris.  Earthscan Publications Ltd., 2009.  435p bibl index afp; ISBN 9781844075966, $146.00. Reviewed in 2009aug CHOICE.
46-6829 TH880 2008-36286 CIP
 
This handbook, which covers a wide range of topics, focuses on the design and engineering of sustainable buildings. It is divided into four parts and contains 28 chapters, each of which ends with references. Most chapter authors are from the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe; however, there are authors from North and South America as well. Part 1 provides a brief introduction to the topic. Part 2, “Energy and Buildings,” discusses thermal engineering and the efficient use of energy, renewable energy sources such as solar energy, and heat pumps. Separate chapters include “Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings,” and “Carbon Reduction in Buildings.” Part 3, “Buildings and Environment,” addresses environmental quality and sustainability within buildings, e.g., indoor air quality, thermal comfort, moisture control, natural ventilation, and occupant health. In part 4, “Operational Performance of Buildings,” the chapter “Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Buildings” compares observed performance to expected performance and industry benchmarks. The book includes several case studies from various parts of the world. This work will be very useful to all who are involved in the ongoing effort to move toward zero carbon and energy-efficient buildings that effectively serve societal needs. Summing Up: Recommended. All collections. — L. E. Erickson, Kansas State University 

A Handbook on low-energy buildings and district-energy systems: fundamentals, techniques and examples, ed. by L.D. Danny Harvey.  Earthscan Publications Ltd, 2006.  701p bibl index ISBN 1-84407-243-6, $275.00; ISBN 9781844072439, $275.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2007may CHOICE.
44-5076 TJ163 2005-34875 CIP
 
With the interest in green buildings on the rise, this sizable volume edited by Harvey (geography, Univ. of Toronto) comes at an opportune time. The book opens with an overview of environmental and energy basics, including climate/meteorological data and energy security. The following chapters consider a building’s thermal envelope and its energy systems (heating, cooling, etc.), ventilation, lighting, equipment, and both the passive and active use of solar and wind energy, among other topics. Focus then shifts to the design of buildings–Harvey believes that the design process is critical to energy savings–and the potential for reduced energy use in both advanced new buildings and retrofitted buildings. Also discussed are community-integrated energy systems, defined as integrated heating and cooling systems that are powered by locally produced electricity and serve a group of buildings. The final chapter offers a summary and conclusions based on the entire work, including the role of technology, policy and cost issues, and the feasibility of sustainability. Particularly useful are a list of related Web sites and an annotated bibliography. Overall, a serious, thorough consideration of methods for reducing the energy footprint of buildings. Multiple illustrations; appendixes. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. — J. J. Arnold, Central Piedmont Community College 

Kats, Greg.  Greening our built world: costs, benefits, and strategies, by Greg Kats, Jon Braman, and Michael James.  Island Press, 2010.  258p index afp; ISBN 9781597266680 pbk, $35.00. Reviewed in 2010oct CHOICE.
48-0678 NA2542 2009-26848 CIP
 
As the need for sustainable design becomes increasingly ingrained in world culture, issues about the benefits versus the costs of green architecture naturally arise, particularly in times of economic insecurity. The prevailing assumption is that green architecture is more expensive. Several new books extol the virtue of investing in green design (among them, Lucia Athens’s Building an Emerald City, CH, Aug’10, 47-6674), and this new volume is an important addition to this body of work. Kats (Good Energies) and coauthors analyze approximately 150 green buildings, demonstrating the cost benefits of constructing green architecture at different scales. Contradicting convention, this book reports that sustainable construction costs are far less than assumed and presents substantial data to support this case. Those who study green design will appreciate the book’s charts, tables, and appendixes that provide data about energy consumption in green and standard building scenarios. Particularly distinctive is a chapter devoted to the first survey of green construction associated with faith-based organizations. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above. — E. H. Teague, University of Oregon 

Meisel, Ari.  LEED materials: a resource guide to green building.  Princeton Architectural, 2010.  223p indexes afp; ISBN 9781568988856 pbk, $40.00. Reviewed in 2010jun CHOICE.
47-5453 TH12 2009-25280 CIP
 
As the title suggests, Meisel’s book is a valuable, comprehensive compendium of building materials that today are considered “green.” This well-organized volume features nine chapters, with specific references to the US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system and useful information on materials–wood, finishes, electrical, and more–and their LEED rating impact for anyone considering new construction or renovation projects. Materials are described in terms of what they are, where one can use them, and why they are green, along with “Special Considerations.” Anyone unfamiliar with the world of green building and its jargon will find these descriptions helpful. This book should be required reading for Realtors and investment bankers who tout green building as the new thing but know little about the subject. For students and practitioners of architecture, conservation, urban policy and planning, and materials science, this book by Meisel, described as a “serial entrepreneur,” provides a welcome guide to the myriad new materials now available for construction projects. Readers should watch for an update to this volume; the range of new materials is growing by the day. LEED Materials is a great primer for use in conjunction with John Fernandez’s Material Architecture (2006). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. — L. B. Sickels, formerly, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 

Miller, David E.  Toward a new regionalism: environmental architecture in the Pacific Northwest.  Washington, 2005.  174p bibl index afp ISBN 0295984945 pbk, $30.00. Reviewed in 2006feb CHOICE.
43-3219 NA2542 2005-1345 CIP
 
A presentation of arguments for and recent examples of sustainable design in the architecture of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, this is a study of current environmentally friendly trends in the region. After a brief account of such trends from Native American structures through the Arts and Crafts movement and early Northwest modernism, Miller, an architect who also teaches at the University of Washington, presents various case studies by his firm and a number of others. Using the rubric of the four elements–earth, fire, air, and water–as environmental strategies, as he calls them, Miller discusses and illustrates the site considerations, the use of sunlight (both direct and filtered by clouds) for light and heat, the employment of air for cooling and circulation, and the utilization and absorption of water. Significantly, he also discusses how well these strategies have worked, their consequences, and problems that still remain to be solved. A well-designed and beautifully illustrated volume, this is primarily an argument for ecologically friendly approaches, appealing especially to architects and prospective clients, for both individual houses and a variety of public commissions. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; professionals; two-year technical program students. –-
D. Stillman, emeritus, University of Delaware 

Rider, Traci Rose.  Understanding green building guidelines: for students and young professionals, ed. by Karen Levine.  W.W. Norton, 2009.  144p bibl index; ISBN 9780393732634 pbk, $19.95. Reviewed in 2010feb CHOICE.
47-3186 TH880 2009-17359 CIP
  
“Green” buildings should consume minimal amounts of energy/water, utilize recycled materials, provide a high-quality environment for occupants, harmonize with or improve the surrounding environment, and do many other wonderful things. As Rider (Trace Collaborative), degreed both in architecture and design and environmental analysis, makes clear, being “green,” or better, being environmentally sustainable, is not a black-and-white issue, but a set of compromises that depend on many factors. This book focuses on one factor: the rating systems used to evaluate the design, operation, and performance of buildings. After a short introduction, elements of the various rating systems are discussed. Separate chapters address the most widely used metrics; they include “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED),” “The Natural Step,” “Green Globes,” and “National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Program.” A final chapter, “Local Green Building Guidelines,” considers regional issues. The book is written in a conversational, nontechnical tone. Though the work provides selective coverage and modest depth, it will be useful to individuals interested in the general framework and applications of the current rating systems for environmental performance of buildings, and those needing to compare approaches and possibly select one of the systems. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, practitioners, and general readers. — S. A. Batterman, University of Michigan 

Snodgrass, Edmund C.  The green roof manual: a professional guide to design, installation, and maintenance, by Edmund C. Snodgrass and Linda McIntyre.  Timber, 2010.  295p bibl index ISBN 1-60469-049-6, $39.95; ISBN 9781604690491, $39.95. Reviewed in 2011apr CHOICE.
48-4481 SB419 2010-5074 CIP
 
This reader-friendly book, written in layperson’s terms, will help people navigate the design, installation, and maintenance processes of green roofs. The information is based on the firsthand experiences of Snodgrass, who started the first green roof nursery in the US and who has been involved in numerous green roof projects. Snodgrass and writer/editor McIntyre define what a green roof is; discuss environmental, economic, and societal benefits that it can provide; and describe components, including waterproofing, drainage, growing medium, and plants, as well as design and installation methods. The book also includes a sample specification list that was used on an actual project. There is limited information on plants, but Edmund and Lucie Snodgrass’s earlier book, Green Roof Plants (2006), provides a comprehensive guide on plant selection. What makes this work unique is the discussion on the state of the industry, including information on standards, professional and industry organizations, warranties, insurance, accreditation, and public policy, and an entire chapter on green roof maintenance. The book is a must for landscape architects, engineers, and contractors, along with students and laypersons interested in green roofs or sustainable design. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, professionals, and general readers. –
B. Rowe, Michigan State University 
 
Stein, Carl.  Greening modernism: preservation, sustainability, and the modern movement.  W.W. Norton, 2010.  296p bibl index ISBN 0-393-73283-5, $60.00; ISBN 9780393732832, $60.00. Reviewed in 2011apr CHOICE.
48-4295 NA2542 2009-50458 CIP
 
This book summarizes a long career in architecture conducted by Stein, a leader in sustainable design for several decades in New York City. The book culminates and illustrates several of his earlier publications, including Architecture and Energy (1977) and Energy Conscious Architecture (2001). Stein argues adamantly and persuasively that new construction is not a sustainable strategy for architecture, design, or construction around the world. Rather, renovation, preservation, and restoration of existing buildings represent the best possible strategies for economic and ecological survival, regardless of climate and economy, global or local. The aesthetic implications of this argument are especially evident in the Cubist style buildings of Stein’s active New York City firm, called Elemental Architecture. Unfortunately, the writing needs some editing, and the book’s bibliography includes just one recent publication, A. Alejandro Bahamón and Maria Camila Sanjinés’ Rematerial. (CH, Sep’10, 48-0085). This book will be valuable for architecture, design, real estate, and development libraries serving commercial, residential, business, and industrial markets throughout the world. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. — P. Kaufman, emeritus, Boston Architectural College 

Thompson, J. William.  Sustainable landscape construction: a guide to green building outdoors, by J. William Thompson and Kim Sorvig.  2nd ed.  Island Press, 2008.  381p bibl index afp; ISBN 9781597261432 pbk, $45.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2008jul CHOICE.
45-6160 TH380 2007-26192 CIP
  
This book emphasizes sustainable landscape principles; it is not a how-to book with detailed step-by-step instructions on constructing individual components of a landscape, such as retaining walls. Instead, Thompson (editor, Landscape Architecture) and Sorvig (Univ. of New Mexico) offer ideas on how to adapt to new situations, materials, regulations, and client demands, along the lines of environmental stewardship. The book discusses principles such as the protection of sites prior to construction, restoration of damaged landscapes, the use of living materials in construction instead of strictly engineering hard structures, protection of water resources, alternatives to paving, the origin of building materials, the influences of design on energy use, light and noise pollution, and sustainable maintenance. Compared to the first edition (CH, Apr’01, 38-4460), which this reviewer has read cover to cover, this work contains vastly expanded discussions on green roofs–a concept that has grown immensely in the US since the first edition was published in 2000–as well as global warming. Each chapter still offers resource lists of organizations, Web sites, publications, and suppliers for additional information. The book is essential for landscape architects, engineers, contractors, or anyone involved in landscaping. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers/libraries. — B. Rowe, Michigan State University 
 
Thorpe, Ann.  The designer’s atlas of sustainability.  Island Press, 2007.  225p index afp ISBN 1-59726-099-1, $60.00; ISBN 1597261009 pbk, $29.95; ISBN 9781597260992, $60.00; ISBN 9781597261005  pbk, $29.95. Reviewed in 2007dec CHOICE.
45-1998 HC79 2006-35007 CIP
 
Thorpe uses the term “atlas” because of the illustrations that provide significant visual content in her book, which focuses on design for sustainable development. Three aspects of sustainability are addressed individually, with chapters on ecology, economy, and culture. These topics are integrated into a final chapter titled “Frontiers.” The book is written for designers such as architects and graphic artists. It is easy to read and will interest all who have an interest in sustainability and sustainable development. The message is that all citizens must participate and take responsibility for the transition to a sustainable world. The author writes: “Overall, we must consider human well-being in terms of environmental, economic, and cultural conditions and consider whether our contributions to those conditions truly support well-being and support it indefinitely.” There is a list for further reading at the end of each chapter; however, this is not a book with an extensive list of references to related work, but one that provides a good picture of the issues that designers face as they consider sustainability in their work. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels. — L. E. Erickson, Kansas State University 
 
Walker, Stuart.  Sustainable by design: explorations in theory and practice.  Earthscan Publications Ltd, 2006.  244p bibl index afp ISBN 1-84407-354-8, $150.00; ISBN 184407353x pbk, $45.00; ISBN 9781844073542, $150.00; ISBN 9781844073054 pbk, $45.00. Reviewed in 2007jul CHOICE.
44-6036 TS170 2006-3749 CIP
 
Walker (Univ. of Calgary) presents an investigation of sustainable design that is at once inspiring and informative. He deftly manages the archaeological task of exposing assumptions regarding design while offering possibilities of breaking new ground. The multicultural, multidisciplinary references embrace globalism united by sustainable design efforts. The theoretical and practical approach animated by an encompassing philosophical perspective becomes progressively refined through the chapters into explorations of practice. In addition, the inclusion of illustrated examples transforms theoretical motivation into practical evidence. Walker’s argument for sustainable design is as passionate and personal as it is analytical and professional. It offers designers, students, and practitioners alike a journey into the heart of design through philosophical questioning of place, time, materiality, self, society, and meaning, without sacrificing the practical concerns regarding the transition from models of consumption to sustainability. The sophistication of the exploration cannot be overstated and should be required reading for students of design. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. — L. Farooque, Purdue University