A comprehensive, illustrated handbook on the world's oldest and most widespread building material. Although earth is extremely versatile and can be used at relatively low-cost, it is essential that users have a good knowledge of its real potential in order to use it to best effect and to avoid misuse.;The text is supported by illustrations throughout, and deals with the essential aspects of earth construction - decision making, planning, design and the realization of a project - so that the procedures, benefits and precautions are easily accessible and understood by those involved at every level. The accumulated knowledge and experience of centuries of use are presented alongside current technologies and research findings. There is a chapter devoted to disaster-resistant construction techniques, and bibliographies throughout for those who require more details about a particular subject area.;This book should be of interest to anyone involved in construction projects at all levels, including decision makers and planners, building inspectors, architects and engineers, technicians, building promoters and bricklayers, and sub-contractors - as well as students and academics.