[Sdpg] Nov. 17, "EcoNest" Natural Building talk & booksigning San Diego 7pm

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

--NATURAL BUILDING SLIDE SHOW & BOOKSIGNING--

"EcoNest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber"
with authors Robert Laporte & Paula Baker-Laporte

Thursday, November 17, 2005
7:00 pm reception, 7:30 pm presentation
New School of Architecture and Design
1249 F Street, downtown San Diego
Suggested Donation: $5

Sponsored by: San Diego Permaculture Center, Ilan-Lael Foundation,
and Archelonia Ecological & Permaculture

Contact:
Marcia Boruta, San Diego Permaculture Center
(619) 255-6111, sdecc at igc.org
Brennan Hubbell, Ilan-Lael Foundation
(619) 702-1604, tresmilusos at yahoo.com

          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 natural building and the authors' inspiration 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 is a graduate of the University of Toronto School of
Architecture.   She has been designing fine custom homes in Santa Fe
specializing in non-toxic and sustainable design. She is a certified
Bau-biologist (building biology), and a co-founder of the Healthy Housing
Coalition. Paula is the primary author of Prescriptions for a Healthy
House, and contributing author to A People's Ecology. She lectures, writes
extensively and travels throughout the country consulting about healthy
building.

Robert Laporte founder of the EcoNest Building Company (www.econest.com)
and the Natural House Building Center, is a leading expert in earth, straw
and timber frame structures. He has been designing and building natural
homes for the past twenty years in Canada and the United States, most
recently bringing the EcoNest concept to Scandinavia. He has researched
natural building extensively in Europe and has been a major influence in
the introduction of light strawclay building to North America.

**Additional California Book-tour dates: November 7-18
Santa Rosa, Berkeley, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara,
Ojai, Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, San Diego
Arizona: November 19-22

-end-

-------------------------------------------
San Diego Economic Conversion Council (SDECC)
San Diego Permaculture Center
sdecc at igc.org
http://sdecc.igc.org