Traditional construction for a sustainable future

Machine generated contents note: Ancient lifestyles and the use of natural materials

The development of the British vernacular house

The main building types

The importance of planform or layout

Early classical influence (the Renaissance) and the start of the demise of the natural house

The classical house and the demise of the traditional house

The architecture of the Arts and Crafts movement

The Arts and Crafts movement as a way of life

The Modern movement [ ] the final demise of the traditional house

Conclusion

The concept of the survival of traditional buildings as a function of location and building materials

The sustainabiliy of natural and traditional building materials

Modern construction materials

Conclusion

References

Mass walling

Stone construction

Timber framing

Timber wall cladding

Roof construction forms

Roof cladding

Roof construction

Modern sustainable construction

Modern insulation methods

Internal insulation for timber frame structures

Vapour barriers [ ] their role in insulation

The concept of the breathing wall versus insulation

The science of vapour permeability

The benefits of the breathing wall

Capillarity

Manufactured chemical-based versus natural insulation materials and the effect on human health

Manufactured chemical-based materials [ ] a consideration of human health and environmental impact

Natural alternatives

The concept of the wall as a thermal store

Ventilation and heat loss

The problems of super insulation

Conclusion

Siting and climate

Macro-climate verus micro-climate

The sun in relation to creating a micro-climate site

Daylight [ ] a factor in solar gain and orientation

Building shape and planform

Planning and internal arrangements

Lessons to be learnt for new build planforms based on an understanding of ancient forms

Volume and heat loss

The role of earth, wind, water, and fire

Understanding U values

Flooding

The origin and need for building regulations

Materials and workmanship traditional building construction

Clay and the Building Regulations

Cob and the Building Regulations

Hemperete and straw bales and the Building Regulations

Stone and timber versus the Building Regulations

The Building Regulations and existing traditional building construction [ ] material change of use

The Building Regulations and new construction

Maintenance and minor works

Stonework [ ] decay mechanisms and repair strategies

Timber [ ] decay mechanisms and repair strategies

Fired earth, brick [ ] mineral composition, decay, and repair

Unbaked earth [ ] decay and repair

Lime mortars, renders, and plasters [ ] the fundamental tools for all masonry repairs

Insulated, breathing limecrete floors.