This manual doesn't just talk about eco-friendly building techniques, but actually shows every step. More than 1,200 close-up photographs, along with in-depth descriptions, follow the real construction of an alternative house from site selection to the final-touch interior details. The authors provide: discussions of the fundamental concepts of construction; earth-friendly alternatives to conventional approaches and materials; plans for a home that is comfortable, beautiful, and environmentally responsible; and a practical demonstration of a house in construction using alternative methods. The images show every move: how the site is cleared, the basic structure put together, the cob wall sculpted, the bales and cordwood stacked, a living roof created. Most important, the manual conveys the real-world challenges and processes, and offers dozens of sidebars with invaluable advice