Julien Balmer’s Freeform House at Phangan Earthworks in Koh Phangan, Thailand has been chosen as the cover shot for my upcoming earthbag book. Long time readers may remember Koh Phangan as one of last year’s earthbag workshops.
Hubert Huot and Julien have built some of the most amazing earthbag structures to date and I am very pleased to feature their work on the cover of my book. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Julien publicly for his generosity in freely sharing this photo, and for Hubert and him being gracious hosts at last year’s workshop. You can see many more photos of their projects on their Galleries page.
Julien’s Freeform House is also profiled on our EarthbagBuilding.com Project page. Like no other house I’ve seen, it is seamlessly integrated into the landscape between large boulders. Other interesting features include recycled ship masts as poles, outstanding plaster work and a masterfully crafted wood framed roof that maximizes ventilation in hot climates. Julien and Hubert have another earthbag workshop coming up February 19-20, 2011 and a Permaculture Design Certificate Course March 14-27 that come highly recommended.
Owen, can we make advance purchases of your forth coming book?
No, please wait about one month. Also note, the book is free with a house plan order from my Earthbag House Plans site.
http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/
Hi Owen. Anxiously awaiting your book. When do you think it will be available?
It’s in the final layout stage now. We’re selecting the last few images and tweaking things to better fit each page. Then it will take another 2-3 weeks for peer review.
Hi Owen:
I applaud the sentiment and your thematic purpose behind picking that structure for your cover shot, but I’d counsel you to reconsider using that particular photo: I’m a photographer, writer, editor for 30 years, and in my experience the cover art that most powerfully draws attention and the desire to buy is at the very least well lit or in some other way visually compelling.
Good example: the book Earthbag Building book by Hunter and Kiffmeyer, which has an enchanting picture of the author’s Honey Dome…while it too has the main building in shadow, it’s a twilight shot, and the warm, comfortable and very inviting interior (why we build these things in the first place) is powerfully soul-warming.
This photograph you have chosen, unless I’m reading the post wrong, seems to be promoting the roof, since that’s the only thing in it that has any light. It’s also shot mid-day, in bluish light, the worst light for a good photo, and I’m sure you’ve got another, stronger picture that really says “earthbag building” in a more appealing way.
I apologize if this sounds critical: it’s meant to support you to reach and influence as many people as you can, as you’ve done so much for the movement already.
Wishing you the best success
JIm
Thanks for the input, Jim. I really appreciate it. That’s not the actual photo. Julien is going to reshoot a high resolution pic just for the book.
It’s not easy finding a great pic. Most people don’t publicize their structures, so there are limited options. Please email me if you have a better suggestion.