Off the Grid Homes: Case Studies for Sustainable Living

by Lori Ryker, Lori Ryker

Off the Grid Homes Case Studies for Sustainable Living Lori Ryker Photographs by Audrey Hall Off the Grid Homes looks at six contemporary architectural projects that integrate alternative technologies for generating and conserving energy. Being off the grid can refer to many different aspects of energy and resource independence, from rainwater collection, to photovoltaic (PV) systems, to gray-water systems and more. Diagrams and clear explanations of technologies and their appropriate applications are provided alongside the case studies that explain just how the technologies work and how they may best be applied to each individual situation. Facts about living Off the Grid: More than 180,000 American homeowners live off the grid,; each year the national number grows by about 33 percent. Most states offer tax breaks and financial incentives for people who live off the grid. A recent study found that after 15 years, an increase in America's alternative-energy investment would create almost 150,000 jobs, increase wages nearly $7 billion, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions roughly 30 percent and save close to $30 billion in electric and gas bills.

Genres: Architecture, Reference, Green, Environment, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2007

Reviews

[Erin Stuhlsatz]

These were so beautiful, and the ways they used renewable resources in building and running the homes were so cool! But it was definitely a "case studies of my multimillion dollar super designed home", and not so much of little things that people like me can incorporate into our lives.

[N]

The pictures are stunning. I liked the explanations of specific technologies, like solar water heaters and geothermal loops. But the descriptions of the homes didn’t always have correlating pictures to explain what was meant and the writing was pretty cursory.

[Hasim]

More detail is needed. Lots of pictures but just a little “concrete” plan or scheme’s to go with.

[Jones Studio,]

APS Environmental Showcase Home /Jones Studio

[David Gross]

Architecture porn — lots of pictures, but written in an unfamiliar dialect if you're not an architecture porn aficionado. Lots of laundry lists and adjectives about sustainable, efficient, off-the-grid thises-and-thats, but not a whole lot of details about trade-offs and wheres-and-whys-and-hows. If you're loaded and are thinking about building a dream house that will make your environmentally-sensitive friends cut you down jealously behind your back, this book will give you hours of fapping pleasure.

[Andrea]

The innovation presented in this case history description of Ryker's structures is fascinating and motivating. This is a great book for someone who is interested in environmentally friendly architecture but without a huge pedantic cloud looming over head. There are also great photographs to give visual reference to the various concepts. Bottom line. I loved it.

[kirsten johnstone]

excellent book which has comprehensive information about energy efficient housing. not just pretty pictures but detailed information regarding finishes and systems used.
one of the best books on this topic i have come across.

[Hbksmile]

These are examples of off the grid home ideas largely applied to postmodern architecture. If you are a looking for your Californian retirement home, look no further. I find everything overdone and impractical. There's no way all that glass is efficient.

[Sarah]

Interesting, great information and beautiful photographs, unintelligible drawings and drafts, and "modern" is synonymous with "outrageous" in the sense of the money spent to go green. Saying the planet and reducing costs as well as carbon footprints shouldn't cost millions... Like these homes.

[Patti]

Wonderful concept; divine photographs. I wish.

[Nick Woodall]

Great architectural book, especially as it relates to going off the grid. Great pictures!

[bibliotekker Holman]

An interesting look at some off grid homes of the sort that grace pages of Architecture Digest. Some great food for thought here for anyone looking to aspire to live off the grid.