Regenerative Design Techniques: Practical Applications in Landscape Design

Rating:
Summary: Sadly, nothing like "the best so far"
Review: For more detail, see my forthcoming book review in Landscape & Urban Planning, or the recent review (not by me) in Landscape Architecture Magazine.
As an author whose main focus is on sustainability in landscape architectural practice, I go out of my way to encourage anyone with similar expertise. However, Regenerative Design Techniques (RDT) will disappoint anyone whose focus is landscape-specific. More than 2/3 of the book concerns buildings exclusively, on topics such as solar water and space heating or indoor air quality. It is not a bad book on green architecture, and contains much useful (although already widely published) information, but is definitely NOT primarily about landscape architecture as claimed by its title. Of its landscape-specific information, some is actively misleading, such as the claim that automatic-control irrigation uses 75% MORE water than a handheld hose (true only if the controller is maladjusted and the hose-holder is exquisitely attentive). The single review on Amazon that praises the book so highly is written by someone from the same university as the authors.
If there were no solid landscape-specific information available, this book might have been a first step. However, that information is available from a wide range of sources including (but by no means limited to) my own books and articles for Landscape Architecture Magazine. Again, as a book on green BUILDINGS, RDT is not bad; as a title on landscape architecture it is extremely limited.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Sustainable Design Book Yet
Review: The book Regenerative Design Techniques by Melby and Cathcart is a welcome contribution to the field of sustainable design. The book has everything needed for a textbook except problems, yet is so smoothly constructed that it can be read straight through from cover to cover. For most of us in the field, it will be one of the first general reference books available.
The book begins by painting a broad view of the need for highly integrated sustainable design, not limited to only water or energy. The chapters then work their way through the general areas ? water, energy, shelter, waste, and landscapes. The approach used for each specific topic is highly effective. The concept is introduced, with general concepts and drawings. Then specific information and for construction is offered and engineering tables for actual designs. Most importantly, they then walk through sample calculations, drawings, and photographs of actual cases. The reader is left knowing why this is important, when to use it and how to build one.
In a field that has been strong on ideals and short on details, this is a rich addition. It makes one realize how much we have been missing up until now.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Sustainable Design Book Yet
Review: The book Regenerative Design Techniques by Melby and Cathcart is a welcome contribution to the field of sustainable design. The book has everything needed for a textbook except problems, yet is so smoothly constructed that it can be read straight through from cover to cover. For most of us in the field, it will be one of the first general reference books available.
The book begins by painting a broad view of the need for highly integrated sustainable design, not limited to only water or energy. The chapters then work their way through the general areas ? water, energy, shelter, waste, and landscapes. The approach used for each specific topic is highly effective. The concept is introduced, with general concepts and drawings. Then specific information and for construction is offered and engineering tables for actual designs. Most importantly, they then walk through sample calculations, drawings, and photographs of actual cases. The reader is left knowing why this is important, when to use it and how to build one.
In a field that has been strong on ideals and short on details, this is a rich addition. It makes one realize how much we have been missing up until now.

Rating:
Summary: Best Sustainable Design Book Yet!
Review: The book Regenerative Design Techniques by Melby and Cathcart is a welcomed contribution to the field of sustainable design. The book has everything needed for a textbook except problems, yet is so smoothly constructed that it can be read straight through from cover to cover. For most of us in the field, it will be one of the first general reference books available.
The book begins by painting a broad view of the need for highly integrated sustainable design, not limited to only water or energy. The chapters then work their way through the general areas ? water, energy, shelter, waste, and landscapes. The approach used for each specific topic is highly effective. The concept is introduced, with general concepts and drawings. Then specific information for construction is offered and engineering tables for actual designs. Most importantly, sample calculations, drawings, and photographs of actual cases are incorporated.
In a field that has been strong on ideals and short on details, this is a rich addition. It makes one realize how much we have been missing up until now.

Rating:
Summary: Best Sustainable Design Book Yet!
Review: The book Regenerative Design Techniques by Melby and Cathcart is a welcomed contribution to the field of sustainable design. The book has everything needed for a textbook except problems, yet is so smoothly constructed that it can be read straight through from cover to cover. For most of us in the field, it will be one of the first general reference books available.
The book begins by painting a broad view of the need for highly integrated sustainable design, not limited to only water or energy. The chapters then work their way through the general areas ? water, energy, shelter, waste, and landscapes. The approach used for each specific topic is highly effective. The concept is introduced, with general concepts and drawings. Then specific information for construction is offered and engineering tables for actual designs. Most importantly, sample calculations, drawings, and photographs of actual cases are incorporated.
In a field that has been strong on ideals and short on details, this is a rich addition. It makes one realize how much we have been missing up until now.