Chris van Uffelen Cradle Book Natural Building Materials

In construction, Natural Materials include biogenic materials, such as straw and wool, and mineral materials, such as clay. The former are renewable, while the latter are produced by slow geological processes and are abundant in nature. Common materials such as wood (a biogenic material) and natural stone (a mineral material) are also featured frequently in the volume but are not the main focus. Natural Building Materials are climate-friendly during ­extraction and are considered healthy for indoor environ­ments as they are typically treated without harmful substances and can naturally regulate indoor climate. They are used for construction, insulation, and surfaces. This volume showcases around 50 buildings from German-speaking countries, Europe, and a few from Asia and the Americas. The regional and design differences are clear, from single-family homes to large office buildings. Introductory essays from a materials science perspective provide an overview.