With Energy Performance Certificates, the Code for Sustainable homes and the new BREEAM standards having been introduced in the last year, the fourth edition of The Green Building Bible is once again the right book at the right time.

The book comes in two volumes with this first one taking the reader through the whole sustainability field in a way which allows you to dip in and out according to the varying interests and competence of the readership. Those new to the area will find a structured and interesting guide through the issues, while more experienced practitioners will find a thorough reference source of the goals, current directions and practical solutions to the challenge of sustainable living. The book is structured as a series of articles by experienced and knowledgeable contributors on a comprehensive range of related topics. The reader can work through the whole series or dip in and out in the order which suits their individual interests or requirements.

Whether you are an environmentally aware home-owner looking for ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint or a national building company looking to understand current thinking and comply with the latest standards, this book will lead you to the information you need.

Starting with the primary facts of “green” or ecologically aware living and outlining the goals to which we must aspire in order to ensure the healthy futures of ourselves and the planet, the book goes on to outline the trends and directions in the building industry while alerting the reader to the dangers of  “greenwash” solutions. Specific technologies, materials and building methods are outlined and though not always in great detail, the missing extra information required is usually to be found in the more in depth technical references provided by Volume Two.

The Green Building Bible goes on to show how the green credentials of existing homes can be improved and further into the discussion of the execution of new-build ecohome projects. There is even a section for the environmentally aware industrialist to use as reference in bettering the energy consumption and environmental impact of their operations. Finally there is a section giving references to a large range of organisations, trade contacts, training providers and inspirational places to visit.

In short, at under a tenner you unlikely to find a more relevant and well researched text book on a technical subject. Additionally this has the added benefits of useful yet non-intrusive advertisements to lead you to where all the products being discussed can be compared and sourced. There should be a copy in every architect’s, local authority’s, and builder’s offices in the country.

Martin Anderson MBEng, Senior Building Control Officer

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