straw bale building
strawbale house plan
simple design home
frugal house plan

free articles

A collection of free articles by Jack Metcalf that you can read online or download in Acrobat PDF format and print.

Just click on the link to read the article online or to read the PDF version in your web browser. Use your context menu [right click] to download the PDF file for off-line reading or printing.

Recycled Building Materials

...a better approach is needed

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Healthier Homes

...how sick is your home?

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Cool House

...home improvements for summer

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Pre Building Guide

...checklist of steps to take before building

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Design Policy

...policy for environmental home designs

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Pests in Buildings

... termites and other pests

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Less Is More

...bigger is not better in sustainable housing

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Light Earth Walls

...a straw/mud walling system

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Lightweight Construction

... lightweight timber framing for your home

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Maintenance Guide

...how to protect your home

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Owner Builders

...guidelines for owner builders

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Retro- Fitting Your Home

... retro-fitting can improve every home

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Saving Water At Home

... less water, less energy, less cost

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document

Warm House

... home improvements for winter

Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat version of this document


...1000's of Adelaide home owners and buyers assisted

35 years experience with buildings...
click here for examples of previous projects

personal low cost services ...to your satisfaction
call or fax Jack at the numbers above for an initial consultation

Jack Metcalf - building consultant
JACK METCALF
building consultant
...35 years experience
phone: (08) 8261 9049
mobile: 0412 799 303
fax: (08) 8261 9049
Association of Building Consultants logo Housing Industry Association logo Alternative Technology Association logo Urban Ecology Australia logo