Paula Baker-Laporte's New FAIA Title
Paula Baker-Laporte of Baker-Laporte and Associates and co-founder/leader of the EcoNest Company, has been elected to th Read More...
EcoNest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber
Robert Laporte & Paula Baker-Laporte
A bird builds its nest using the materials at hand to create a perfect shelter for its bio-region. It doesn't fly to the next state for twigs nor does it build a home that is bigger than it needs. Instinctively it creates an environment that is nurturing, nontoxic, creating no waste and neither borrowing nor stealing resources from future generations. These exemplary owner/builders know how to build and repair their own shelters. When they have no more use for their nests, the building materials decompose, becoming fertile ground for nature's regenerative miracle.
This is the authors' inspiration for the homes that they create and for their newly published book, EcoNests: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber. EcoNests are simple, elegant, and healthful handcrafted dwellings that welcome owner participation in their construction. They utilize natural building techniques including timber framing, clay/straw walls, earth plastering, and natural, non-toxic finishes. An EcoNest is built to last for centuries, serving many generations, and is designed to work in harmony with its natural surroundings. Mindful siting, reverence for what is present in the nature of the site, roof water collection, alternatives for gray water and human waste, composting and power from the sun are also important components of EcoNest design. The book profiles ten different homes located around the country, including floor plans with interior and exterior photos for each. EcoNest explores the benefits of building a healthful home and offers useful tips for the homebuilder. The average person spends 90-95% of their time indoors, therefore, the home should be a sanctuary that nurtures your body, mind and spirit.
Paula Baker-Laporte A.I.A. Is a graduate of the University of Toronto School of Architecture(1978) and the Institute of Baubiology and Ecology (1995). Her architectural firm has been designing fine custom homes in Santa Fe since 1986 specializing in non-toxic and sustainable design and EcoNest community design. Paula is the primary author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House, and contributing author to several other books. She lectures, writes extensively and travels throughout the country consulting about healthy and ecologically sound building.
Robert Laporte founder of the EcoNest Building Company and the Natural House Building Center, is a leading expert in earth, straw and timberframe structures. He has been designing and building natural homes for the past twenty years in Canada and the United States. He has researched natural building extensively in Europe and has been a major influence in the introduction of light clay/straw building to North America.
Robert and the EcoNest building team have expanded their organization to include training for apprentices and professional builders.
For more information, contact Robert or Paula:
EcoNest Company
P.O. Box 864
Tesuque, NM, USA 87574
phone: 505.989.1813
fax: 505.989.1814
e-mail: info@econest.com
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