I sell a lot of books on my Web site Greenhomebuilding.com, mostly as affiliate links through Amazon.com. Recently, my wife, who happens to be a former librarian, did a search through our sales records of the last four years and discovered some interesting trends. Our top seller was 'Earthbag Building: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques.'

Close behind this book is 'The Hand-Sculpted House: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage.' Actually, books about building with cob are very popular, with two others showing up in the top 11 best sellers: 'Building With Cob: A Step-by-step Guide' and 'The Cob Builders Handbook: You Can Hand-Sculpt Your Own Home. This makes cob building the single most popular topic!'

Green building
General books about green building are also very popular, with 'Building Green: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods' selling about five copies each month. 'The New Ecological Home: A Complete Guide to Green Building Options' and 'The Good House Book: A Common-Sense Guide to Alternative Homebuilding' were also in the top 15 best sellers.

Underground earth-shelters
Two books about underground and earth-sheltered construction made the top 25:

'Earth-Sheltered Houses: How to Build an Affordable Underground House'
'The Fifty Dollar and Up Underground House Book'

Actually the first of these is more about cordwood building, so if you combine this with 'Cordwood Building: The State of the Art,' author Rob Roy has two titles among the top seven best sellers.

'The Stone builder's Primer: A Step-By-Step Guide for Owner-Builders ,' 'The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling, and Earthship: How to Build Your Own,' Vol. 1 all made the top 10 list, selling about three each month. Then, if you add to this 'The Tire House Book,' which was also among the top 25, it is obvious that building with tires is a popular concept.

Adobe and earth building
There were three books on the top 25 list about adobe and rammed earth building: 'Adobe: Build It Yourself, The Owner-Built Adobe House,' and 'The Rammed Earth House: Revised Edition.' This makes methods of using earth for construction extremely popular.

Strawable building
Strawbale building also had three titles in the top 25:

'Small Strawbale: Natural Homes, Projects & Designs,'
'More Straw Bale Building: A Complete Guide to Designing and Building with Straw'
'Serious Straw Bale: A Home Construction Guide for All Climates.'

Considering how popular strawbale building has become in the last decade this is not surprising.

Root cellars
There are two books about storing food in root cellars that made the top 25 list:

'Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables'
'Build Your Own underground Root Cellar'

Personal favorites
One of my favorite books, 'Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter,' a book published by Lloyd Kahn which features the earthbag/papercrete house I built in Colorado, along with many others, made the top 25 list.

The final book on the list is 'Ceramic Houses and Earth Architecture: How to Build Your Own.' The book was written over a decade ago by Nader Khalili of earthbag building fame.

For me, it is gratifying to see the popularity of all of these books, and many others that didn't quite make the list, that feature different aspects of natural building and sustainable architecture. It bodes well for the future.

Another encouraging trend I noticed while I was doing my annual update of books at Greenhomebuilding.com is the acknowledgement of global warming and the need to address the problem. In fact I counted at least 42 titles published in 2008 that are positive and only six that are negative. Two years ago this division was about 50/50, with most of the nay-sayers being funded by corporate interests. The times they are a-changing!

Kelly Hart is the producer of GreenHomebuilding.com and DreamGreenhomes.com.

At the Natural Building Colloquium held in Santa Barbara, CA, last October, one of the discussion forums I attended was titled 'The Long Emergency.' I'm sure the name of this forum evolved from Howard Kunstler's famous book by the same title, which addresses surviving the end of oil, climate change and other converging catastrophes of the 21st century.

In this case, a panel was convened that included Michael G. Smith (author of several books about cob construction), Penny Livingston Stark of the Regenerative Design Institute, Janell Kapoor, founder of Kleiwerks International, and Derek Roff, the director of Builders without Borders.

The issues we discussed included climate change, environmental quality, the economy (which included unemployment, home ownership and inflation), and scarcity of resources (water, food, topsoil, building materials, fuel, etc.).

Starting a movement at home
When it came to finding solutions to these persisting problems, many people talked about dealing with these issues at a local level versus at a national level. It was suggested that you should go with the flow of chaos by plugging more into your community. To get more involved locally you can:

• Become acquainted with your neighbors and network with them.
• Connect with your area police departments, so that you are familiar with them in case of an emergency.
• Share your resources with others in your neighborhood when possible.
• Become involved with the creation of a local currency, so that money that is spent and earned in a community stays there.
• Take advantage of new governmental positions related to sustainability.

Another idea that was discussed during this forum was 'passive survivability.' This idea focuses on people becoming more self-sufficient in terms of food and energy. For example:

• Grow some of your own food in personal or communal gardens.
• Participate in community-supported agricultural projects.
• Install renewable energy technology so you can become less reliant on grid power or fossil fuels.

To help create a more sustainable and healthy environment, people can also use natural materials when building or remodeling their home. These materials are generally non-toxic and are biodegradable.

As people decide to become more environmentally active, they should continue to educate themselves on the issues and remain positive and not put down or judge others with differing opinions. The best way to encourage more people to join the eco-movement is to spread the word about solutions through contact with the media and to collaborate with other organizations and groups with similar goals.

Transition towns
Recently, 'transition towns' have begun to pop up throughout the world. These are towns where people have come together to make a commitment to address environmental and sustainable living issues at a local level. Citizens can share experiences and make suggestions for ways to address local issues. In addition, they can take advantage of an increasing awareness through a larger organization. You might take a look at some of the material presented at Transitiontowns.org to find out more about this movement.

If you pay attention to nature, which is beautiful, powerful, and regenerative, you can find many solutions.

Kelly Hart is the producer of GreenHomebuilding.com and DreamGreenhomes.com.

One of the most anticipated speakers at this year's Natural Building Colloquium held in Santa Barbara, CA, was David Eisenberg of the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT). David and his associates are tireless advocates of incorporating sustainable principles into existing building codes. He is an eloquent speaker, who can motivate virtually any audience from dusty natural builders to formal building department officials. David knows how to reach out to people by appealing to their common humanity.

As a building expert, a common question that I hear many people ask when it comes to building codes is: When is the best time to approach building officials about a specific project? David says that 'once you have a good idea of what you want to do, [building officials] need information and time to process it.' In addition, if you're planning to build a nontraditional home, he suggests that you find an official who has already approved a project or building proposal similar to yours. Because of the official's prior experience, he can become an advocate for you during the duration of your project. When you talk to officials, also find out what they are concerned about, so that you can address these concerns directly.

Under the alternative building provisions of the codes, if the plan is stamped by a professional architect or engineer, then the authorities won't change them, partly because they don't want to be responsible.

'Vested industry interests tend to dominate the codes, because they come to all of the meetings where these things are decided,' says David.

A sustainable future
To further the cause of instituting sustainable building codes, David suggests that:

•Builders do good quality work.

•Applicants meet the need of building authorities to feel good about the safety of projects.

•We improve public awareness through publicizing the sustainable building that is done.

•We make an effort to develop good relationships with building officials.

As a model for a broader approach to incorporating sustainable codes into all land use issues, David suggests looking at what is being done at the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (RMI). The RMI have spearheaded an initiative known as the Sustainable Community Development Code Reform.

The objectives of this initiative include:

•Identify key sustainability issues and find ways to address them in the land use regulatory process through new standards, incentives and the elimination of barriers.

•Analyze how current approaches to zoning, such as performance and form-based systems, must evolve in order to promote sustainable communities.

•Explore the nexus between sustainable land use planning and regulation, drawing upon examples from progressive communities that have adopted sustainable land use provisions.

•Develop and implement a sustainable zoning code framework.

•Educate end-users, including local officials, developers, homeowners, and professionals in order to foster awareness of how communities move towards sustainability.

•Act as a catalyst to bring various disciplines together, such as agriculture, health, design and planning to form a coalition to support and promote sustainable development codes.

David emphasizes that it is more important than ever to bring a broad range of disciplines together to fashion integrated concepts for developing a truly sustainable future. His organization can use all the help it can get to further these objectives.

Kelly Hart is the producer of GreenHomebuilding.com and DreamGreenhomes.com.

What is space design? Space design is how we use and manipulate the space around us. The fields of architecture, interior design, land planning and green building all incorporate it. In large part, it requires the professional to truly consider all the possible and ever far-out ways the space will be used.

Space design goes beyond thinking of which way a door should open. It does not require large expanses of space, nor is it limited by small quantities of space. Rather, it's a matter of ultimate functionality. Beyond that, it isn't merely a literal process; it's also a matter of social and environmental sustainability.

Interior architecture
Imagine being able to move easily about the kitchen even when entertaining 20 guests. That's what award-winning architect Jonathan Parks of Sarasota, FL., achieved in one client's major renovation. He transformed the boxy, claustrophobic area, originally segmented by walls into an open, airy space that includes a wet bar, dining area, breakfast bar and prep area. The newly renovated kitchen area is a space people can easily move about, even when the cabinets, the oven or the fridge are open. How did Parks do it? He used forethought to incorporate flow, process and design. Not only did he use the boundaries of the space — the surrounding walls — he also emphasized the center space, which amplified the possibilities.

Knocking down walls, using an L-shaped bar, building in a small wine bar, and using pocket sliders between the patio and the kitchen helped manifest the concepts. The wife can remove hors d'oeuvres out of the oven comfortably and entertain guests in the kitchen, while her husband comes in and out of the kitchen as he's barbecuing on the patio. And the best part, no one gets in each others way.

Mixed-use communities
Smart growth, often associated with New Urbanism, is a growing policy trend in residential development and land planning. It's often manifested in mixed-use projects. In the book,'New Urbanism: Comprehensive Report & Best Practices Guide," Edward Gramlich, a former Federal Reserve governor, says that implementing smart growth strategies rather than permeating sprawl would save the U.S. $250 billion over the next 25 years. Those costs would be saved mostly by lower development and utility costs for developers and lower reduced land and road costs to the government.

This type of development is a throwback to land planning before the prominence of the automobile. Before the advent of suburbs and the era of popular pre-WWII, small businesses occupy the first floor while residents live on higher floors. Curbside parking and courtyard parking are usually available to expedite and encourage the buildings use by those who live and work there. By their very nature, mix-used developments are green-oriented. These types of developments encourage their inhabitants to shop where they live and promote pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Residents and business owners become more interconnected, creating a healthy work-live environment. Smart growth projects like these also engender generational diversity. According to James Falbo, a marketing manager for Florida-based Waterford Companies, research indicates that both young professionals and downsizing seniors want to live in these mix-used communities.

Say no to bad design
The architecture profession has evolved boundlessly in the last century. Space planners, interior designers and architects have learned how to reconceptualize the space they're working with and are more likely considering long-term effects and usability in their design. They consider a wide variety of uses rather than simple, pragmatic ones.

Take for example my apartment – apparently unchanged since its 1920s construction. A radiator located in my bathroom proves to be a laughable impediment. Its permanent location negates the ability to completely open the bathroom door. Furthermore, getting burned is an immanent risk. Beware of bending down too much at the sink or ZING! Ouch! That radiator has been known to leave interesting (but fortunately temporary) tattoos in rather private places!

Had a designer with a good sense of space design created this today, she might install a pocket door rather than a fully opening one. But then again, she would have prevented the problem forthright by installing a contemporary heating unit toward the ceiling.

View more blogs by Nichole Reber at Spacedesignjournal.com

At the end of last month, I attended the Natural Building Colloquium held this year at the Orella Ranch in California. The picturesque location overlooked the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara. About 70 attendees shared their insights, stories, passions, songs, poetry, cooking, concerns and labor.

The conference brings professional builders, architects and academicians who share the views of creating housing that is healthy, affordable and environmentally responsible. The movement is leading a growing number of people to take a new look at building techniques long shunned by the modern construction industry. Earth, straw and bamboo, once materials of necessity for indigenous and pioneering peoples the world over, are now being rediscovered as materials of choice by those who are embracing an ethic of natural building.

This year's colloquium was organized by the[Natural Building Network and was hosted by Gunner Orella, who represents the sixth generation of the Orella family living on the ranch since 1866. The Natural Building Network supports ecological regeneration, social justice, the building of community and economic opportunity, and the recognition of indigenous wisdom as essential in creating healthy, beautiful, and spiritually uplifting habitation for everyone.

The colloquium isn't your typical conference held in a stuffy convention hall. Attendees typically spent the mornings devoted to work on a multi-stalled toilet facility that was already framed with wood. Gunner wanted the walls and a surrounding fence to be finished with natural materials, and there were many volunteers who formed teams to accomplish this project.

Business and pleasure
The afternoons were reserved for concurrent presentations or discussions, so there were always hard choices to make about what to attend. During the course of the week, over forty different topics were explored, in a variety of meeting places. These ranged from the use of materials, such as bamboo, cob, adobe and lime, to more theoretical discussions about engineering, thermal properties, efficiency and design.

After dinner — which was always delicious and usually vegetarian — we were treated to a variety of programs or entertainment that emanated from our group. Mostly these were slide or PowerPoint presentations, but one night was devoted to a talent show with plenty of music and some stand-up comedy, which was great fun. I got a chance to show lots of pictures of my visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I had been invited to discuss sustainable architecture with the faculty and students at the King's University a few years ago.

One morning, about half of us opted to attend a tour of historic adobe buildings in the heart of Santa Barbara. The earliest remnants date to the 1780's when Spain authorized the construction of a presidio and the Santa Barbara Mission. Much of this early adobe construction was toppled during subsequent earthquakes, but recent reconstruction, using stabilized adobes, has returned the area to its original presence.

After spending a week camping out in the spectacular Orella Ranch and connecting with these dedicated and compassionate souls, I felt heartened that we will find ways to overcome the enormous obstacles that lay ahead.

Message from the future
During the closing ceremony, held on a very foggy night before we were to disperse the next morning, we arranged ourselves in two large circles that faced each other. Those of us on the outer circle, who role played people living in some indefinite future, were asked to address our ancestors (people of today) in the inner circle. When I did this I felt strange, as though I was really speaking from some future time. I told the young woman who was sitting across from me that I did not blame her for the difficulties that she and subsequent generations had endured. I said that the pattern was innocently established well before she was born.

Industrialization was fashioned to improve life, not deteriorate it, and the consequences were not foreseen. And then I told her how much I appreciated the hard work she was doing to address and correct the mistakes of our ancestors. I said that because of the actions of her generation, we in the future were enjoying a simple and healthy life based on ecological balance, and that we owe her and many of her generation our gratitude for all that they did to make this possible. We then stood and embraced, the future and the present, for a moment of true compassion.

View more photos from the Natural Building Colloquium.

Kelly Hart is the producer of GreenHomebuilding.com and DreamGreenhomes.com.