Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly Home Design

Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly Home Design Review

Showcasing one hundred years of innovation and environmental sensitivity, Handmade Houses celebrates some of the world’s most idiosyncratic homes from Big Sur to Sardinia. Author Richard Olsen  unveils the components used for their construction, including driftwood, boulders, and even old wine vats.

The first study of the handmade-homes phenomenon since its inception in the late 1960s, Handmade Houses revisits the subject’s roots and history, exploring how these homes and their owners paved the way for the architectural-salvage business and the reclaimed, industrial look ever-popular today. As fascinating as the structures are themselves, their owners—professionals and amateurs who personally designed and built each residence—offer their inspirations and stories behind the convention-defying homes. Design lessons are gleaned from each home—some examples of environmentally aware construction with applicable tips for use in more mainstream scenarios. Handmade Houses is an important and relevant volume to be appreciated by anyone interested in environmentally friendly design, craft, and the expression of personal style in the home.  

The New Independent Home: People and Houses That Harvest the Sun (Real Goods Solar Living Books)

The New Independent Home: People and Houses That Harvest the Sun (Real Goods Solar Living Books) Review

Tells the stories of various people who have built their houses in an attempt to "get off the grid" and make the living spaces as efficient as possible. The author combines the stories of the people and their houses with the principles that make their houses efficient.