Ceramic houses and earth architecture: how to build your own

The beginning

Part 1. The evolution : A tale of two communities: Boshrouyeh and Taos

Earth architecture

Geltaftan (fired structure) earth architecture

A ceramic house: a dream come true

Part 2. Philosophy and design principles : The people's architecture: working with nature

Structural principles

Basic forms and designs

Part 3. Materials and techniques : Appropriate site, appropriate materials

Adobe

Geltaftan (fired-earth) adobe mixture

Adobe: forms and block-making

Foundations

Walls

How to build arches, domes, and vaults

Roofing and wall covering

Flooring, interior finishes, opening and utilities

Part 4. Firing and ceramic glazing : Geltaftan: firing earth structures

Interior design: sculpting and glazing

Landscaping and rehabilitation

Part 5. Beginning : model making

Visions for the future

Appendix : Shell membrane theory applied to masonry domes

Magma, ceramic, and fused adobe structures generated in situ

Building codes

Glossary and metric and U.S. systems of weights and measures.