Prescriptions for a Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners hits #5
Today my book with Paula Baker-Laporte (Fourth Edition - Prescriptions for a Health House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners reached number 5 on Amazons Top Five Book on Sustainability and Green Design.
Four years in the making, this 4th edition of "Prescriptions for a Healthy House" is a comprehensive update addressing the latest in an ever-changing landscape of health research and building practices. This edition is greatly expanded from the previous editions with new sections on furnishing and maintaining a healthy home and many other topics never before covered. Paula Baker-Laporte, an architect, and John Banta, an Industrial Hygienist and mold expert, have put together a veritable treasure trove of useful and often difficult-to-find information. The recommendations are based on research and decades of experience “in the trenches.” The book is pertinent to anyone interested in building or remodeling a home or workplace that is not only beautiful, but also durable and health-enhancing.
Although there is nothing complicated about constructing healthier homes, building for health is still not standard practice, and in fact there are many aspects of conventional home construction that are detrimental to human wellbeing.
From foundation to rooftop, to home care and repair, Prescriptions for a Healthy House takes the mystery out of healthy-house building, renovation and maintenance, by walking the owner/architect/builder team through the entire construction process. Chapters include:
Frame construction alternatives
Thermal and moisture control
Finishes
Flooring
Furnishings
Electromagnetic Radiation
This unique guide will appeal to architects, designers, contractors, medical professionals and homeowners.
Look What People have been saying about it!
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2022
This book is a god send for everyone, particularly people who are aware they have been affected by chemicals in their home environment. Then there are the millions who are ill and uncomfortable, and have not yet identified it is due to the slow degrading of their health by building materials and cleaning supplies that steadily pollute the buildings in which they live and work. This book is vast, well organized, meticulously researched, and a miracle. It offers information which is not easy to acquire about building or repairing a home in which one can thrive, or in which to recover from the degradation of one's health due to chemicals in the environment. This book is for everyone -- those who already know they have been exposed to toxic materials, and those who want a home that supports the flourishing of their children and themselves. I bought 5 copies for family, friends and the professionals who are helping me reclaim my home from the poisoning of inappropriate materials. It has been a 7 year journey to get to this point, and to find this extensive book being published just at the time I have needed it, has been an unexpected and wonderful blessing.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for anyone who believes that you can never be your healthiest in an unhealthy home
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022
Eagerly awaited after the 3rd Edition. Particularly relevant as many green guard products are not California Prop 65 compliant nor the healthiest available (like some of the commercial caulks). All of this took on far more relevance after my wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We found Table 13-1 Types of Adhesives particularly helpful as we live in North Carolina and have had to compensate for what could have and should have been done either at the time the home was built or by previous homeowners. What this book does so well is tie home design, construction and materials together so that the reader gets both the big picture and the details. Case in point, I will never buy a home with a traditional dormer ever again because of their design vulnerabilities.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
I used the past (3rd) edition like a healthy home bible--so I was already a fan--then this 4th edition came out, and WOW! It is full of very timely info on all types of products and actions to make your home even healthier. It answers questions I have had and ones I didn't even know I had. Thank you thank you!
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2022
I purchased the Kindle version and am amazed at the detailed information in this book. If you are thinking of building a new home or remodeling the one you have, read this book before you start the planning phase. There is so much one would typically overlook when trying to build a healthy home environment and the authors really cover it all. There are also oodles of tips to remedy and rescue an existing home and bring it back "to life." Highly recommend to people who want to make their home the best environment possible.
5.0 out of 5 stars Rare combo of environmentally-conscious industrial hygienist, architect, and builder!
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023
This book covers so many interesting facets of healthy design and construction. It is focused on the residential market and written in a way that both homeowner, design-professional, or construction-professional can understand. There are helpful photos and examples of good language to include in specifications and contract documents. If you can afford to have an amazing architect like Paula - or an incredible IH like John - go for it. If you're not that lucky - this book is the next best thing. You'll have to put in some research time but Rx for a Healthy Home is approachable and manageable, and I guarantee you'll learn many nuggets about healthy building that you never would expect! Thanks to the authors for making the world a better place! Enjoy, readers.