5 comments about Painting Flowers on Rocks.

1. I found some rocks near our cottage in the woods, and VOILA, beautiful flowers are now growing where they never could before. I am not an artist by any means, but after following the easy, detailed, step by step instructions, I had masterpieces! AMAZING book with AMAZING results. Thank you Lin for sharing your knowledge and bringing out the creative part of me I didn't know I had!



2. Follow the simple step by step directions for a beautiful "rock garden."



3. Whether you are simply curious about rock painting, or have a desire to paint flowers on rocks, this book is for you. It is well written by a world class rock artist and teacher and in addition to offering know-how, it is an encouraging book that shows the way to get involved in this fascinating and not too expensive art form.



4. This book was as I expected it to be.. the demonstrations were clear and instructons easy.. I ordered it because of an episode on the Carol Duvall show in which the author painted a beautiful bouquet on a simple smooth rock ..I have ordered other books of the same nature from Amazon before and have been equally satisfied.



5. It was such a pleasure to receive Lin's book about painting flowers on rocks. I have several of her other books which has brought us lots of hours of fun and fantasy. We appreciate her talents and her sharing her ideas with others like us. Her flower painted rocks are perfect for places like cemeteries that don't allow fresh flowers. It helps bring beauty to our loved ones graves without the work and worry of live plantings. The rocks require "no watering!" Thanks Lin for all your creative ideas.

5 comments about Traditional Construction Patterns: Design and Detail Rules-of-Thumb.

1. For those who want to put the home back into the house this book explains how traditional detailing works and why it makes us feel so comfortable. It's a technical manual and a spriitual inspiration.



2. Mr. Mouzon has written a very informative book about both the terminology of architecture elements, and the reasons behind traditional construction design that just "looks right".
   
   As someone who grew up in the building trade, most of my architecture terminology was limited, just as architecture elements implemented in most recent homes have been likewise limited. For example, the full range of classical entablature elements are seldom used today, and therefore the terminology describing those elements are not common in construction use. This book has an excellent chapter on architecture lexicon complete with a depiction of each element for ease of reference. This lexicon is very useful when describing homes built at the first of last century or earlier, and will hopefully come into use again as McMansions start rediscovering the beauty (and distinctiveness) of properly implemented classical design elements.
   
   Concerning the appearance of correct design, this book does a great job of explaining why certain building elements are perceived as being "right" while other elements are perceived as being "not right". Originally I purchased this book so to provide guidance in the renovation of an 1884 Victorian home I purchased - I want to add on to the house but in a way that blends seamlessly into the existing structure - but found it more useful in explaining my negative visceral reaction to certain home designs I've witnessed over time, including most of the McMansions being erected in my current tear-down neighborhood of Dallas. Many of the "not right" elements I have seen are thoroughly detailed in this book - too many gables, too many different materials used on the facade, a hodge-podge of window shape and sizes, improperly scaled columns and porches, etc. I've jokingly told my wife that if another house close to mine is purchased to be torn down, I'm going to personally deliver this book to the builder with the instructions to read it before any construction plans are finalized!
   
   This book would best benefit someone in the building trade that doesn't have a strong architecture background, someone who wants to build their own mid-to high-end home, or someone who builds spec homes of that range, all without the input of a competent architect. For the person who is building a lower-ended home many of these rules of thumbs just aren't financially attainable, though an awareness of the other applicable rules of thumbs will keep a muddled design at bay.
   
   I will continue to use this book both as a lexicon dictionary and design reference when, in the near future, I return to the building industry.



3. I only wish I had known about this book six months earlier! We're attempting to build a period-inspired colonial house. I was so dissatisfied with the house plans I saw that I decided to just design the house myself using library books and determination. I wanted to build something beautiful and the "anti-McMansion". If only I had had this book earlier we would've done so many things differently: my second floor windows would've been shorter to accommodate all the stuff that's supposed to be under the eaves but now won't fit. I would've put the little stoop in a different spot. My dormers would have different proportions. The only problem with reading this book is that now when I look at our house I see all the things I did wrong.



4. I am not an architect, but I am a city planner and frequently work with architects and draft zoning codes which govern architecture. To me, this book is worth the money simply for the "lexicon" at the beginning which describes and illustrates the key elements of traditional building construction. No other book I have used provides these descriptions in such a readily understandable way.
   
   Most of the book consists of a listing of "do's" and "don'ts," illustrated with photos and small drawings, that explain how each of the details should be used and work together to form a composition. I agree with one of the earlier reviewers that some of the photos are hard to read, but for the most part, it works. You may or may not share the author's strong opinions--a lot of people seem to prefer McMansions to the simpler forms of traditional architecture--but regardless of your aesthetic judgements, this book will teach you like no other how the design details come together to determine the overall look and feel of the building.



5. I am using this book to assist in the detailing of my house, which we are renovating right now. I lent it to my architect and he says it is a great resource and time saver. He will be buying himself a copy. This book provides many examples of what to do and what not to do and will allow you to focus in on those details that make homes look "just not right" and correct them before costly mistakes are made.

4 comments about Lautner, 1911-1994: Disappearing Space (Basic Art).

1. I saw an item on CBS Sunday Morning about this gentleman and I was interested in learning more. This book did not disappoint. The photos are high quality and the writing was excellent. This is a very informative book. I have since purchased more in the Taschen series.



2. Most books on Lautner (my father) are out of print and expensive. This one is a great small book that makes a terrific gift or handy guide. Some new pictures, some different buildings from Campbell-Lange's other Lautner book.



3. I would have given this book 4 stars except that it is written in more than one language which makes the book a bit harder to follow. But there are lots of nice photos of Lautner's homes, except for 2 of them which look like they where done with a cheap digital camera and printed on a xerox machine! I cannot complain about the price though.



4. The large color photo's in this book are wonderful, but unfortunately, there is not as much information on the architect and the individual projects he worked on, that there are in the other 2 Lautner books I have Purchased ("John Lautner- Architect", and "The Architecture of John Lautner". Also this book is written in three languages and therefore the layout is a little confusing. If you are a huge Lautner fan like I am, you will still enjoy the book, and considering the cost is less than 1/2 the price of the other 2 I mentioned (unless you purchase the softcover edition) I consider it a great coffee table bargain.

5 comments about The Phenomenon of Life: Nature of Order, Book 1: An Essay on the Art of Building and the Nature of the Universe (The Nature of Order).

1. I've read both of Alexander's "A Pattern Language" and "The Timeless Way of Being". "The Nature of Order" is similar. Alexander has spent a good part of his life developing a philosophy of aesthetics as it relates to structure. I am not an architect but I tend to deal with project design and many of the ideas he presents as applied to architecture can be applied in other areas as well. The notion of what constitutes "goodness" is universal.
   
   I have posted his 15 principles on my filing cabinet and intend to give his arguments some thought before going ahead to the second book. It is interesting to consider that what we appreciate most, be it an inanimate object such as a rock or a piece of music, the layout of a building or the complexities of human relationship is the degree to which each exhibit "life". Alexander took years to come up with his categorizations and conclusions so it is natural that one should take a bit of time to digest what he says. I do hope the publisher keeps this series in print so that I can return to it later. (Judging by the # of comments on and sales rank of successive volumes 2-4 I sense a dwindling audience or at least cautious audience.)
   
   I recommend this book to artists, architects, those interested in the philosophy of aesthetics, and designers of all kinds. Alexander's work is poetic and mystical and relies heavily on internal insights and so will not appeal to everyone, however I regard myself as fairly grounded in realism, spreadsheets and decision making and find his work worthy of consideration.



2. Read 'The Fifteen Properties' excerpted in the 'First Nomination for Book of the Century' customer review, or any other excerpt, and then consider the words of Gordon L. Prescott from 'The Fountainhead':
   
   "The flowing life which comes from the sense of order in chaos, or, if you prefer, from unity in diversity, as well as vice-versa, which is the realization of the contradiction inherent in architecture, is here absolutely absent. I am really trying to express myself as clearly as I can, but it is impossible to present a dialectic state by covering it up with an old fig leaf of logic just for the sake of the mentally lazy layman."
   
   I wish I could give a 'no star' review, but amazon doesn't have that option.



3. Anne Broadbent's review below is completely unjustified. She writes "At the beginning of the first book, Alexander shows a beautiful pagoda - but I still think I wouldn't want to have one near me, in the guise of a shopping centre, school, house, gym, restaurant, bank or whatever: I'd rather see it in its original cultural setting." Alexander agrees completely with this point. His whole theory involves local adaptation following the fundamental properties and transformations that he has outlined in these books. Nowhere does he suggest that we should use the pagoda's form in any other cultural context. If you look at some of the examples he gives from nature you will understand this. He discusses the way sand dunes form following some of the fundamental properties. Does this mean he claims we should create sand dunes in the jungle? Of course not. Examples of buildings, places, and natural phenomena, are used as a means of displaying these fundamental properties and how these properties occur universally in phenomena which the majority of humans, and all other life forms would agree contain the quality of life. Throughout the series of books, Alexander provides hundreds of examples of human creations and natural creations to support his thesis. This may or may not be news to Miss Broadbent, but this is widely acknowledged as good scientific method.



4. I very much enjoyed 'Pattern Language' and had great hopes for this series, however, after finishing book one, I am not sure I will invest in further volumes. I give the author credit for the time and effort spent in trying to develop his 'unified field theory' of good design, but unlike some of the common sense examples in Pattern language, this book moves to a level of metaphysical abstraction that seems to stretch the ideas past their breaking point. Not-Separateness? The Void? Though he makes a valiant effort, I just couldn't shake the fact that I was reading an after-the-fact justification of the authors pre-conceived tastes. Which essentially boil down to: old = good, new = bad.
   Most off-putting also, were the scrawled, barely legible sketches that were meant to illustrate some of the principles. They are so poorly rendered as to be distracting and not very helpful to boot. I would expect more graphic sense from someone purporting to explain the universal secrets of good design. I really wanted to love this book, but I find it simply frustrating.



5. I haven't finshed reading the content of this book - this is more a comment on the delivery medium...
   
   The 'hardcover' book more closely resembles a cardboard cover book. Mine is easily bent and permanently warped in multiple dimensions - makng it much more like your typical large paperback book than a $75 hardback book. It seems harder and harder for publishers to strike that balance between quantity and quality of pictorial content on the one hand, and quality and flashiness of the cover on the other.

5 comments about Draw Real People! (Discover Drawing Series).

1. My eleven-year-old daughter wanted a how-to-draw-people book that was more advanced than cartoons. This is the one I chose, and she loves it. At her age, she just tries to copy the pictures, but when she is older I am sure that she will read it, and learn even more about technique.



2. Based on the recommendations I decided to give this book a shot.
   I am a dabbler in most everything, and have recently picked up drawing again...
   
   this book, has nice pictures of faces and up-close and personal body parts (like ears, and noses) it's not for the raw artists. There's a surprising lack of step-by step on how-to-, where to draw each part of the body and so forth. They have only a few samples with the steps drawn in; I'd love to have more pointers!!
   And, it should be titled, "How to draw the head profile" instead of "How to draw real people", since the author did not include how to draw human figure, hands, arms, etc.
   
   however, it's still a helpful guide in giving the basic knowledge of how to draw the human face.



3. As a self proclaimed 'doodler' I've always been fascinated with how you can make a drawing look lifelike... and not cartoonish. I could sit for hours and doodle and copy almost any picture, but they never looked real. This book is written in such context that even my 12 year old daughter has now taken an extreme interest in pencil drawing. It could have something to do with the examples in the beginning of the book of portraits drawn by children as young as 11 years old and they are better than anything I had ever done! After one day of reading the entire book and acquiring the recommended supplies, I took a deep breath and started the practice sessions. At the end of the first day, I decided I wanted to try to draw the eye and the lips using the newly learned techniques and was absolutely blown away at the realism on my piece of paper! Now, I shall try to draw the other facial features and then an entire face. I can't wait for my next break at work so that I can do more.



4. THIS BOOK IS EASY TO USE AND UNDERSTAND, WHICH I FIND MOST HELPFUL. THE STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ARE EASY TO FOLLOW AND THE RESULTS ARE AMAZING. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR EITHER A BEGINNER OR AS A HELPFUL REFRESHER. THE TECHNIQUES ARE PROFESSIONAL AND INFORMATIVE AS YOU GO ALONG.



5. I am 13, and drawing has always been a major avocation for me. Normally, I don't like drawing books, because most of them only give you a limited amount of objects to draw, in one pose. The most useful part of the book was always the first one or two pages, which normally include an introduction to drawing and the basics of shading. "Blocking out the subject in simple shapes" has never worked for me, for whatever reason, and neither has the technique for drawing portraits where you put in lines where the eyes should go, exc... I found my drawings to be of much better quality if I simply looked at the picture and tried to draw it, as opposed to following the step by step instructions. Using this straightforward style, I started drawing people's faces, until I was recommended this book. I bought it, and it was a worthwhile investment.
   I'd never heard of this particular drawing style before, and I wish I had; it would have saved me much trouble. I wish I could post a before and after picture for you to see how much my drawing improved when I started using this style. Shading is explained thoroughly throughout the book, as is highlighting and many other important techniques. I recently painted an 8x8 mural of our school logo, a Native American, and this book provided priceless help. Though it might help to go through some trial and error first, I highly recommend this book to all classes of artists, beginners to professionals.

5 comments about A Little House of My Own: 47 Grand Designs for 47 Tiny Houses.

1. A fun and functional presentation of very small dwellings - all unique. Some practical living spaces for thrifty, eco-conscious builders, some just plain genious spacial designs. All are meticulously illustrated - a great idea book!



2. Though I do not recommend the authors book :"The Tiny House Book", this book is great! Great photographs and drawn pictures that detail the building being written about. More of an idea book for the home handy person than a detailed instruction book, it contains enough information to easily build a number of the buildings illustrated. This book focuses on very small buildings most under 600 sq ft but the ideas presented could be used to build any sized home or out building.



3. The quality of the book's construction, layout, pictures, and organization is veyr nice. This definetly makes a nice book for reading in a doctor's office.
   
   The author clearly states that the book provides little in the way of specific construction methods for small homes or floor plans. The floor plans could have been at least double the size that they are. There is too much white space on the pages with the floor plans. I almost needed a magnifying glass to read the notes on the floor plans.
   
   There are lots of pictures from the outside of the homes - perhaps drive-by pictures. There are very little pictures on the inside of the homes. The efficient use of less space could have been better addressed with pictures and sketches.
   
   The bottom line: If you want a nice looking book with an interesting topic, buy it. If you want substance, look somewhere else.



4. I came across this book after reading Michael Pollan's excellent _A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder_, in which it is mentioned that the Lester Walker book _Tiny Tiny Houses_ had helped inspire Pollan to build his own little writing cabin. This book, _A Little House of My Own_, is effectively an update and expansion of _Tiny Tiny Houses_. (At the time of this writing, Amazon has paired the two Lester Walker books for its "buy this book with ..." feature; don't be fooled into buying both books!)
   
   I quite enjoyed _A Little House of My Own_, and am a bit surprised at the number of reviewers here who were disappointed by it. My best guess is that they were expecting something other than what they got, and they didn't see beyond that to what the book does have to offer: it is a fascinating study of simplicity in architectural design, and presents a refreshing counterpoint to the current trend of constructing soulless McMansions. The book's history of very small houses and workspaces, illustrated by forty-seven different examples, is a welcome reminder that people can live well in much less space than so many of us are now accustomed to.
   
   While this book contains drawings and floorplans to accompany its photographs, the material given is not enough on its own to use as a guide for construction. Walker states in his introduction that the beginning builder who wants to try putting up a small cabin like one of the ones presented should "read one or two of the basic housebuilding books listed in the Bibliography and then become very friendly with a local housebuilder." The intention is not to provide templates for construction, but to help get people thinking about the space they occupy, how to use it best, and ideally to inspire them to design and build a place to call their own.
   
   As a city dweller renting my apartment, I'm not going to be doing any construction work anytime soon. But I would like to, one day, and if I do, I will definitely want to have this book on hand as a reference. The combination of history and technical information presented here is unusual and eye-opening.



5. These houses would be interesting to live in, if you don't mind living in houses WITHOUT BATHROOMS! Nice houses to look at, and one or two might be nice to build (two out of the whole 48 could be liveable as a weekend getaway), but if you're looking to buy a housebuilding book to actually build a house, look the other way. Les Walker must be running out of ideas because it's just a reprint of his first book. I doubt HE lives in a 250 square foot house with no bathroom and an igloo cooler for a refrigerator. C'MON LES, SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about In Detail: Building Skins (In Detail (englisch)).

1. The way architects use materials and the effects they are after in the exterior envelope nowadays are quite surprising. "Building Skins" reports to us these exciting limelight phenomena. The book focuses mainly on two issues that pertain to the production of architectural skin; first, is exploration of materiality; and second, is interdisciplinary integrated approach to energy performance. It sounds pretty banal, but because of the cases provided are handsomely put together, the experience of reading is ever afresh and anew.
   
   Schittich's wonderfully written essay in the beginning of the book helps a reader to quickly understand the forces (historical, technological, aesthetical, and environmental) that pushed this global interest in visually-effective or performance-efficient façade making. Attitude towards materials and building skin, the book summarizes into (mainly) three groups of architects.
   
   First group of architects (e.g. Zumthor, reactionary to flickering-aesthetics), uses untreated materials to renew and expose the very attributes of materials. Second group of architects (e.g. Herzog De Meuron, embracing digital-friendly attitude), uses machine-treated materials to explore new visual effects. Third group of architects (e.g. Thomas Herzog, focusing on climatic parameters), integrates solar manipulators into the façade. The book also lightly touches on the issues of artificial lighting that are becoming more crucial to contemporary urban nightscape.
   
   Supported by clean detail drawings, there are ample examples of building skins. Similar to any of the Birkhauser Detail series; the book is richly informative on the technical terms of materials and treatment on materials. It also introduces some German architects that are pretty much foreign to English-speaking audience. The two essays by Lang & Krippner are also worth mentioning.
   
   Seductive building packaging will cool down as time passes by, but meanwhile, this book will serve its purpose.



2. This books contains mostly low rise building, stadium, and stores in Europe that shows exordinary variety of materials used in exterior skins. A eye opener that give a glimps of the recent development of curtain wall design and the creativity involved in solving various problems. Each case contains at least horizontal and vertical sections drawings with materials table and background introduction of its functions, and some has enlarged photo of particular features which is useful to study how it was constructed. While in some cases I wish more close-up pictures were given, but at least for the most part it was more useful than most of architectual books which only offer overall view of the building and it liveup the name 'in detail' which I was looking for.



3. I cannot say enough about the quality of this entire series, and this book is among the best of the set. Few architecture books are of this high quality; one usually expects some level of editorial compromise; either we get lightweight analysis and documentation with beautiful photographs, or you get overly complex, teched out stuff that doesn't understand the fundamental concepts. Or it's just bad architecture. But this entire series, from the quality of the writing, the great beauty and clarity of the drawings, and finally to the aptness and excellence of the finished architecture; it represents the new state of the art. Buy the whole series, but start with this one and "Building Simply", which I'll rave about separately.



4. A must have for all architects and those interested in how buildings come together and the importance the skin plays. As specially when trying new materials.



5. There was a time when there was no question as to what the outside skin of a building was going to be, glass alternating with metal panels. Something monolithic looking like the UN building.
   
   Now significant advances in materials, architectural design, creative use of conventional materials like shingles, concrete, or sprayed on foam are producing building where the skin becomes more than just what you see.
   
   The book is organized into two main sections. The first third or so is used to describe the general changes that have been taking place in the general area of building skins.
   
   The last two thirds show where various treatments have been used in actual buildings. The buildings vary from tiny, micro houses to athletic stadiums, stores to factories.
   
   This is European publication. Most of the buildings are in Europe, with a few from Japan. They represent the most significant advances in design I have seen in a long time.

5 comments about Prefab.

1. I am using PREFAB to help me define differences in prefabrication techniques and this book didn't really help me. There is even a disclaimer attached to the book that states, "We admit to playing fast and loose with the concept of prefabrication here. Many of the houses presented in this book are not prefabricated in the strictest sense of the word. Not all were factory built and assembled. Some houses were built with prefabricated materials like aluminum siding." This gives some illegitimacy to the book. If a building featured in this book has aluminum siding as the only prefabricated piece, then brick suburban homes should be featured as well - at least for consistency.
   
   Saying that aluminum siding is prefab is like saying bricks or CMUs or door frames or sunscreens are all prefab as well. I personally think this statement is untrue. These items are merely standardized pieces to the puzzle - sunscreens put together do not make a building. Prefab is the process of assembling all these things into volumetric modules or panels (SIPs) offsite in a factory.
   
   I do however think the introduction and history were quite informative. Pretty pictures too.



2. The book is wel written and very beautifully photographed. The history is interesting, but would have liked to see more current info.



3. In PREFAB, author Allison Arieff presents an interesting overview of "prefabricated" buildings, past, present, and future. Yet, I would not recommend this book to average modular home consumers, as many of the projects described in PREFAB are highly customized, somewhat eccentric, and generally impractical for those looking to save time and money by utilizing prefab construction as opposed to regular, stick-built construction. Some of the buildings aren't even single-family dwellings, but apartment buildings. Nonetheless, PREFAB is a helpful resource for those who'd like to learn more about the history of prefabricated buildings, as well as the current state of affairs, and in which unusual directions the industry will be headed in the future.
   
   Arieff begins PREFAB with a lengthy (29-page) discussion of the history of prefabricated homes, starting with panelized wood homes in England and the US in 1624, through the American mobile home boom after WWII, and ending with the current state of the industry. The next three sections of the book are devoted to various modern prefab projects. The first, titled "Production," presents "a diverse group of well-designed houses and multi-family dwellings that are either in production, or poised to be." Of the three groups, "Production" is perhaps most relevant to the average consumer; it illustrates the sheer diversity of prefab homes that are available around the world. It also reflects how beautiful prefab homes can be, both inside and out. Next up is "Custom," an eclectic mix of "unique homes by architects less interested in the mass production of houses than in the aesthetic, environmental, and economic benefits of prefabrication." The buildings in this section are stunning - the Penthouse at Albert Court, which sells for $4 to $5 million, is my favorite. Finally, "Concept" features the strangest buildings of the bunch. According the Arieff, the concept buildings represent "a diverse array of virtual and conceptual prefab projects that employ everything from websites to neoprene in order to create the next generation of prefabricated housing." Experimental to the extreme, these plans seem geared towards architects, artists, and other design/construction professionals.
   
   For the beginner, PREFAB is an interesting and engaging introduction to the history of prefabricated housing. As my knowledge of construction and architecture is limited, I can't say whether students or professionals will find PREFAB especially enlightening. I found the author's writing to be crisp and captivating, and I thought there was a good balance of pictures and text. I would definitely recommend PREFAB to newbies who would like to know more about prefab housing; yet, I would direct those looking for a consumer or how-to guide to go elsewhere. Overall, an interesting read, but probably not for everyone (for example, I can see how pros might want additional pictures, larger graphics, and more detailed floor/elevation plans, especially given the book's high price tag).
   
   - Kelly Garbato



4. ok, if you're looking for more of a coffee table book than a serious research source. arieff does provide a brief history of some selected prefabricated ventures, but the other 3/4 of the book is of more modern attempts, all of which are not described or displayed as thoroughly as i had hoped. most of the designs are also of doubtful marketability, and the pompous attitudes of some of the designers is off-putting. some pretty pictures, however.



5. Let me make a simple observation, people by these type of books for the pictures. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words right? But flipping through this book gave me the impression that the authors wanted to explain in words rather than with pictures. It was "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah" when a few more photos would have been much better. Why describe with words???
   
   I liked "Prefab Modern" by Jill Herbers better because it has more designs. It actually had many of the same designers in Prefab but with more pictures, less words, and a floor plan which really helps you to conceptualize the designs. Not only that but the book by Jill Herbers is cheaper too...

5 comments about Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): Strength and Energy Efficiency Through Structural Panel Construction (For Pros By Pros).

1. Many people have swung a hammer, but I have participated in remodeling and new home construction. Frankly, it bothers me to laboriously assemble each wall, then add trusses and rafters, and sheath the whole thing. Insulating after this can be a repetitive process (not to mention itchy). I have wondered how to simplify home construction.
   SIPs are the solution. Structural outer sheets of wood bonded to Insulation with another Panel of wood inside. There! The whole thing can be positioned in a bed of adhesive to form a small or large section of wall. Slightly longer and thicker panels form roofs with vaulted ceilings below. Factories can preform SIPs with electical wire recesses and window openings. Just follow the blueprints, use a crane for the heavier pieces, and the book claims homes can be closed up in 4 days. They are going to be more wind resistant, quieter, and energy efficient.
   This book covers introduction, history, and current state of art. The author is an experienced home-contractor and is enthusiastic enough to reveal the brand names of his most useful powertools (and how to use them), the factories he is familiar with, and the back of book lists resources for experienced SIP architects, manufacturers of SIPs, and tools. It is not quite a how-to manual; that must come from the manufacturer of the specific panels. But I feel confident that I could deal with an experienced architect who wanted to use SIPs to create a beautiful home for me (and I would spend all my free time helping the crew!)
   The pictures are highest quality, too.



2. This book is a good primer for anyone who has doesn't know much about SIP's, but I found it quite basic. Also, there are passages in the book that show just how badly it is in need of an update. For instance, in the first chapter, it says something to the effect of "...with energy costs being relatively low, builders have a hard time selling energy efficiency and sacrificing the two story fake stone arch...' If this technology is to get a solid foothold in the building industry, MANY books should be written to provide builders with the resources they need to handle both high-end custom homes and affordable homes as well.
   
   In short, if you are just trying to get up to speed on what SIP's are, this is probably worthwhile. Otherwise, spend some time on the phone and visiting with your SIP dealer, talk to contractors who have used them, and look around online. I think you will find more detailed and specific (and UP TO DATE) information.



3. Excellent overview of SIPs construction basics and techniques. Author explains in ordinary terms so any layman can understand. Anyone considering SIPs construction should buy this book. It would be nice if a newer version (this one is 2002)were available to discuss the latest products.



4. Good book to explain the fundamentals and ideas behind why Structural Insulated Panels area a good building medium. Unfortunately, the solid information on estimating the costs or tricks to design that the interested party are looking for are not there.
   
   I look for someone to write the next book in the series.



5. this book provides a thorough and well detailed look at SIP anatomy and construction techniques. information on this construction type is extremely difficult to find from sources other than (possibly biased or glossed-over) information from SIP manufacturers. the content covers so many details of its construction that it could concievably be used as a primer/manual/textbook for contractors or others interested in using this construction type. any information needed to supplement the information found here will most likely be so specific that it will be material related to a particular manufacturer's product or information gleaned directly from materials testing reports. i have looked extensively, and not been able to find, any materials on SIPs that could compare to the value of this source.

4 comments about Strawbale Home Plans.

1. I keep this book around on my couch for all my friends to check out and i go back to it, daily, in searching for beautiful ideas for my soon to be breathable abode! The people in the book appear so serene and i know why! what glorious fotos and floorplans this book provided! great work!



2. This product is short on plans but I love it anyway. It provides one diagram, or layout for each ofmany sterling examples of this construction method,
   A good value for that strawbale builder who finds themself somewhere between a dream and the plan coming together...or just wondering where to get started making the dream a reality.



3. i was very impressed, this book is beautiful, the pictures, and floor plans inside give us so many ideas for the home we want to build in the future, i recommed it even if its a coffe table book.



4. I bought this book seeking inspiration, and I was not disappointed. Evident here is the continuing evolvement of strawbale house design and construction. In this book, you can see what can be done with strawbale. Included are comments and suggestions from the owner/builder of each house. For anyone considering building a strawbale structure, these comments would be especially useful. One owner/builder in the desert, for example, says rain gutters should have been installed when the house was first built, not added later on. Photo quality is very nice, and the overall layout and design of the book is quite good. The title of the book is a bit misleading, and I would have liked to see more in the way of actual plans (all you get is a floor plan), but overall this is a nice book, and offers much in the way of ideas.