I was telling some readers the other day to browse coffee table books on architecture at major bookstores for design inspiration. This is a great way to get lots of ideas.
house design
Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly House Design
From the Jacket:
“The first comprehensive consideration of the residential design of the back-to-the-land movement, “Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly Home Design” exposes the roots of “green” architecture as it travels across North America and to the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, and Australia. From deep in the redwood forests of Big Sur, California, to the craggy, pink-sand beaches of Sardinia, Italy, this book visits houses in which cost-cutting DIY improvisation, eco-consciousness, art, and craft harmoniously converge.
Mother Earth News Magazine Articles: Oldies But Goodies
As a young carpenter, Mother Earth News magazine was very influential in my life and those of my friends. Almost no one I knew back then could afford to build a home with standard building materials from building supply centers. That would have cost a fortune. However, what we lacked in financial resources we made up for in youthful enthusiasm and building skills.
Economizer House Plan with Log Siding
Our Children’s House Design Contest is over and I’m sad to say we didn’t receive any entries. The contest idea was sparked by Jay, a frequent commenter here on our blog, who pointed out how housing styles can be dramatically altered with just a few changes.
Earth Houses + Name of Country
Looking at photos of natural houses is a fun way to learn about natural building. Almost half the homes in the world are made with earth (adobe, cob, rammed earth, earthbag, etc.), so there are countless photos of houses made like this on the Internet. Try searching for photos in your favorite search engine using the search terms: earth houses + the name of country you are interested in. Google Images is my current favorite (although the quality is slipping lately). Try various search terms to see what works best. You could try searching: earth dome or earth dome home or earth roundhouse or earth sheltered house. You get the idea. In foreign countries you could search similar words in the local language.
Tiny House Tour that Houses Family of Four
“A tour of our tiny house. Built on Tumbleweed principles, we bought this 272sq ft house already built, then hauled it across the state and parked it in a garden. We bought it fully functional but very bare bones. We did major remodels to suit our personalities and needs. We have enjoyed living in our home for the last year and a half but the recent fourth edition to our family is making it feel more cramped. We will be moving soon. Hope you enjoy!”