WELL FED HEAD
The Small House Book BOOKS
Small Eco Houses
By Àlex Sánchez Vidiella, Cristina Paredes Benitez This book provides fresh perspectives on how a good design can create stylish, yet ecologically sound living spaces in small-scale homes. Anyone who has faced the challenges of limited living space will find inspiration in this survey of the latest trends in environmentally sensitive, small-scale residential designs. More than 50 residential spaces are profiled—from woodsy houses and repurposed barns to cool apartments and urban lofts—both inside and out. Most of the projects were designed by upand-coming architects, and each design proves that small-scale efficiency as well as beautiful, thoughtful design can overcome the apparent constraints of a small setting. Environmental impact is a growing concern, so each project was chosen because of its ecological sensitivity. Each case history describes the challenges confronting the designer and the solutions. Creating color schemes to enhance the feeling of openness, taking advantage of high ceilings to make multiple levels, and using collapsible furniture and sliding doors to maximize space are some of the design solutions that can be applied in any situation. Filled with beautiful color photographs and helpful floor plans, this book is a remarkable showcase of how good design can transform any small space into a comfortable, modern— and environmentally sensitive—home. Paperback, 420 pages Published November 2, 2010 by Universe
By Jay Shafer
In 2008, a used house in the U.S. averaged $244,000. That is far more than the average American can afford. Jay Shafer shatters the myth that affordable housing needs to be cheap. In his book, Jay reveals the ugly truth about residential planning and the needless overbuilding that is, in part, to blame for today’s mortgage crisis. Did you know that you can’t build a house as tiny as the one Jay lives in? That is, unless you know the loopholes! He’s done the research and is happy to share it with you. You’ll learn why it is necessary to build on wheels, and see the process of attaching a house to a trailer with step-by-step instructions and pictures. Jay Shafer, the author, has personally built a dozen tiny houses and lived in three different ones. He is recognized as a leader in the Small House Movement. 197 pages Published 2009 by Tumbleweed Tiny House
Superb Cabins by Carles Broto
If cabins make you think of lumberjacks; Camp Grenada, circa 1974; or “Deliverance,” then you need a copy of Superb Cabins: Small Houses in Nature. Paul Bunyan would be proud to call any of these 25 magnificent cabins home for himself and Babe. Each cabin has been designed to maximize limited living spaces and create a warm, appealing place for living, relaxing, and entertaining. Full-color photographs, ground plans and sketches, and in-depth technical commentary by the architects themselves make these cabins truly inviting for design professionals everywhere. Hardcover, 190 pages Published July 10, 2007 by Links International
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AUGUST 2013 TEX APPEAL