The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has launched the second edition of the authoritative eco-building bible, 'The Whole House Book: ecological building and design' by Cindy Harris and Pat Borer.

Fully revised and updated for 2005, CAT's 'The Whole House Book' challenges government and industry to take sustainability beyond the political rhetoric and build it into the fabric of new homes. Since its first publication in 1998, very little has been done to improve the standards of new build in the UK with government and developers shying away from their responsibility to ensure housing stock is sustainable and not a net contributer to climate change.

In the new edition, authors Cindy Harris and Pat Borer examine all the elements of building, renovating and extending, from site location up to roof insulation, and beyond, and show what it takes to build ecologically sound and healthy homes. With information on renewable technologies, passive solar design, environmentally-friendly products, water conservation, energy efficiency and much more throughout, they promote the combined social, economic and environmental objectives that should drive self-builders and industry alike.

'The Whole House Book' contains over 500 illustrations, charts and photographs and draws from the best self-build, community-owned and 'green' developer-led initiatives in Britain, Europe and the United States. It is ideal for anyone passionate about building and concerned about the environment with an interest in renewable technology, alternative building techniques and best practice.

Until recently, author Cindy Harris worked at CAT for seventeen years, first as a builder and then project manager, consultant and lecturer. She is now the Design Review Officer for Design Commission for Wales. Whilst working at CAT she was involved with all new constructions, including the self-build house, the eco-cabins, the top station of the water powered cliff railway and, most recently, the award winning Autonomous Environmental Information Centre (AtEIC). Her co-author, Pat Borer, is an architect with his own practice in Mid Wales. He has worked with CAT for thirty years. During this time he has been influential in the evolution of the ecological self-build approach to design apparent in the Centre's buildings. His current projects include low-energy housing schemes and CAT's Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE).

The Centre for Alternative Technology is a pioneering research and demonstration centre in Mid Wales which aims to inspire, inform and enable people to explore new ways of living. It has established a worldwide reputation as one of the leading organisations demonstrating ecological technologies and lifestyles.