No comments about Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture.

4 comments about Concrete Design.

1. This book could easily have been 4 times as thick to cover all that needs to be covered when it comes to concrete architecture but it does give the reader a good idea of what can be done with concrete when it comes to home building. If your into concrete architecture then this book will give you a glimpse of homes that you won't find in any other books.



2. This book is a good idea and provides some interesting ideas, but is low on detail and the pictures aren't that spectacular either.

   I bought is as a package with Cheng's "Concrete Countertops" which I highly recommend.

   I'd pass on this book.




3. It's a great overview of beautiful concrete houses, most of which I had never seen before. BUT, I have to say that they authors did disappoint me on one level; PICTURES! The pics are good, but they could have been SO MUCH BETTER. I'm constantly left wondering what the rest of a house looks like. Entire pages are devoted to single pictures (of staircases and the like) when they should have had an abundance of views. Overall, I do love this book, and you probably will too.



4. This is my favourite book! I can't stop looking at it. So many people look at you in horror when you say you want any concrete element in your home. Sarah Gaventa's book could really help them open their minds. (It is not as if concrete is a new building material. The Roman's built with it!)

No comments about Architectural Expression of Environmental Control Systems.

5 comments about A House of Straw: A Natural Building Odyssey.

1. An excellent book! A House of Straw is an honest, well-written, highly-detailed account of building a straw-bale house DIY style. If you've ever considered DIY, then this book is a must-read. While it's not a "how-to" book in the general sense, A House of Straw is just as valuable and informative because it chronicles the various phases of DIY construction.... things you won't see on a half-hour HGTV program.
   
   I am very happy with this book having purchased about 10 straw bale related books/dvd's in the past 2 years. I've been out of the DIY field for about 20 years (having helped my parents build 3 conventional vacation homes that were later sold). This book brought back a lot of memories and reminded me just how exhausting, cost-saving, and worthwhile DIY construction can be.
   
   Again -- an excellent book! If you're considering building your own house (even a conventional, non-straw bale house), you'll benefit from reading A House of Straw.



2. This was my second copy of this wonderful book, and arrived in such great shape that it made for a perfect donation to our small town library. It was the first tome covering straw bale building on Blanche K. Werner's shelves and has been constantly checked out. I am currently ordering another volume



3. Not a story about exactly how to build your own straw bale house ... rather an easy read about one woman's choice faced with adveristy in her life and wishing to provide an economical, quality solution to a home for herself and her two sons. There is lots of good information about the stumbling blocks one must face, especially at a time when this architecture was relatively new to the Tucson area. Mostly I found in this book what I was looking for personally ... a story of inspiration and success. As it happens I have had the opportunity to see the final product and it is truly a beautiful home in an area close to the city of Tucson but remote enough, and on enough land to allow further exploration of alternative energy and a self sufficient lifestyle. Carolyn has done a magnificent job of making her home happen and of writing the story about it.



4. Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic.

   I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand.

   In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
   Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends.

   Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done....

   I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.




5. This is a great book of building dreams and manifesting your own destiny. As I read I was brought out into the hot sun, crying, sweating and blistering along with the builder. It has never ceased to amaze me what human beings can bring about if they really put their mind to it. Carolyn Roberts is truly a warrior of life and creates a reality we can all live with. Keeping life simple allows one to focus on realizing one's dreams. And Carolyn's dream is one of giving. Giving back to Mother Earth and giving us a good example of how simple, healthy, loving life can be.

   If you are interested in building a house, especially one of straw, this is a must read. It prepares you for the pitfalls and the joys of accomplishing challenges you never thought you could.

No comments about Energy-Efficient Architecture: Basics for Planning and Construction.

No comments about Egress Design Solutions: A Guide to Evacuation and Crowd Management Planning.

No comments about Japan - Culture of Wood: Buildings, Objects, Techniques.

1 comments about The Art of Architectural Drawing: Imagination and Technique.

1. you don't really know what you are getting until it shows up. i was hoping that a book on waterCOLOR illustrations would have primarily COLOR illustrations! silly me! this book does have a lot of illustrations - too bad probably 85% of them are in black and white. it would be nice if amazon would list the number of color and b&w plates along with the rest of the info they give you on a book, but until that day comes, its buyer beware. if you are looking for a lot of nice examples of waterCOLOR illustrations, this book, even at the discounted price is no bargan. however, if you like lots of poorly reproduced black and white images of watercolor illustations, then this is the book for you!

No comments about Concrete Creations: Contemporary Buildings and Interiors.

No comments about Material Life.