Böcker av Johan van Lengen

En la antigüedad, los primeros arquitectos amasaban la tierra con sus pies para elaborar ladrillos, hoy en día esa imagen está bastante alejada de nuestra realidad. Dado el cambio constante del mundo, los materiales tradicionales de construcción se emplean con menos frecuencia y, por lo tanto, hay menos mano de obra con esos conocimientos. En este manual se ofrece una amplia gama de materiales y formas de construir una casa a partir de la combinación de técnicas tradicionales y modernas que contemplan el clima de las regiones donde se desea construir. Todo el texto está acompañado de dibujos que vuelven la información más amena y clara, lo que lo convierte en un libro para arquitectos, universitarios, autoridades de gobierno y técnicos, pero también para todo aquel que quiera construir su propia casa. In ancient times, the first architects kneaded the earth with their feet to make bricks, today that image is quite far from our reality. As the world is constantly changing, traditional building materials are used less frequently, and therefore there is a smaller workforce with such skills. This manual offers a wide range of ways to build a house from the combination of both traditional and modern techniques, while considering the climate of the regions where you want to build. The text is accompanied by drawings throughout the book that make the information more enjoyable and clearer. This book is for architects, university students, government authorities, technicians, but also for anyone who dreams of building their own home.

A former UN worker and prominent architect, Johan van Lengen has seen firsthand the desperate need for a "greener" approach to housing in impoverished tropical climates. This comprehensive book clearly explains every aspect of this endeavor, including design (siting, orientation, climate consideration), materials (sisal, cactus, bamboo, earth), and implementation. The author emphasizes throughout the book what is inexpensive and sustainable. Included are sections discussing urban planning, small-scale energy production, cleaning and storing drinking water, and dealing with septic waste, and all information is applied to three distinct tropical regions: humid areas, temporate areas, and desert climates. Hundreds of explanatory drawings by van Lengen allow even novice builders to get started.