Wasowski argues that the unnatural landscapes so common in America literally exist on artificial life support. A natural landscape, on the other hand, is filled with native flora and can exist on rainfall alone. It is, as one builder said, akin to stepping lightly on the earth. To help builders and prospective home owners achieve this "light step", the author introduces the idea of the Envelope, an approach to construction that is cost effective, simple, and environmentally responsible. A structure built within nature's envelope looks as if it has been gently set down into a mature and established landscape-which is the easiest kind of landscape to maintain. He illustrates this new concept in construction through profiles of sites in California, Arizona, South Carolina, Minnesota, and other locales in North America. He also highlights useful techniques for revegetation, discuss the importance of soils, and argue for the preservation and maintenance of natural habitats.