Review by Choice Review
As the title suggests, Meisel's book is a valuable, comprehensive compendium of building materials that today are considered "green." This well-organized volume features nine chapters, with specific references to the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system and useful information on materials--wood, finishes, electrical, and more--and their LEED rating impact for anyone considering new construction or renovation projects. Materials are described in terms of what they are, where one can use them, and why they are green, along with "Special Considerations." Anyone unfamiliar with the world of green building and its jargon will find these descriptions helpful. This book should be required reading for Realtors and investment bankers who tout green building as the new thing but know little about the subject. For students and practitioners of architecture, conservation, urban policy and planning, and materials science, this book by Meisel, described as a "serial entrepreneur," provides a welcome guide to the myriad new materials now available for construction projects. Readers should watch for an update to this volume; the range of new materials is growing by the day. LEED Materials is a great primer for use in conjunction with John Fernandez's Material Architecture (2006). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. L. B. Sickels formerly, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
