Architect Alex Scott Porter grew up in New York City but spent summers at a farmhouse in Maine, eating vegetables from the garden, drinking from a gravity-fed water tap, and bathing in a nearby lake. These rustic experiences have had a lasting effect on Porter’s architectural approach; in her designs, she strives to create a built environment that is in harmony with nature, using materials that are environmentally clean and natural ventilation whenever possible.
We recently caught up with Porter and asked her for a list of her favorite sustainable design books; to see her work, go to Alex Scott Porter Design.
Above: Sustainable Living: 25 International Examples, by Dominique Gauzin-Muller; $79.95 at Amazon. “Inspiring examples of how green architecture does not have to be reductive and austere.”
Above: Building Envelopes: An Integrated Approach, $16.47 at Amazon. “This book describes a number of sustainable envelope case studies. Where a lot of publications gloss over the technical aspects in favor of flashy photos, this book uses simple diagrams to convey the underlying principles of energy efficiencies.”
Above: The Green Studio Handbook, by Alison Kwok and Walter Grondzik; $43.23 at Amazon. “This book sets up a nice reference outline for approaching a project in a sustainable manner, from siting to alternative energy options.”
Above: Architectural Detailing: Function, Constructibility, Aesthetics, by Edward Allen and Patrick Rand; $35.15 at Amazon. “Although this book is not explicitly about sustainable design, it does a great job of illustrating the essential patterns of construction that will last, which to me is paramount to sustainability.”
Above: In Search of Natural Architecture, by David Pearson; $25.37 at Amazon. “This book examine the sustainable aspects of vernacular architecture from around the world. It also offers powerful examples of how architecture affects spiritual well being.”
Above: Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas L. Friedman; $10.88 at Amazon. “Friedman presents a convincing argument for why we need to embrace green design now; I wish everybody would read this book.”
Above: LEED Materials: A Resource Guide to Green Building, by Ari Meisel; $26.40 at Amazon. “In a marketplace where many materials are advertised as green, this book is helpful in separating out those that actually are.”
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation