Houses That Can Save the World

by Courtenay Smith, Sean Topham

An inspirational sourcebook of innovative and unexpected green design solutions for our homes in a rapidly changing world.  Nothing short of a design revolution is underway as architects, designers, engineers, self-builders, and artists confront climate change, polluting plastics, global migration, rapidly expanding cities, and an ageing population. Part handbook, part manifesto, Houses That Can Save the World shows how creative thinkers are embracing the new challenges we are all facing. Featuring nineteen home-building and design strategies that are direct, original, and often surprisingly simple, this inspirational sourcebook presents a mix of new technology and time-tested vernacular methods that will change the way we think about “home.” Each strategy features carefully selected and generously illustrated projects that put ideas into practice, offering real-world solutions regardless of location or size. With ideas and houses that span the globe, including developing regions in Asia, Africa, and South America, this highly illustrated volume shines a spotlight on everything from new techniques to creative reuse of existing buildings and materials. Whether you are planning a self-build or are simply looking for ways to make your home more environmentally friendly and efficient, this book is packed with innovative ideas that can help to make our homes, and the world, a better place to be.  550 illustrations

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been a five star read if the reuse chapter was edited with consideration for recent EDC research. Overall, lots of inspiring clever and creative solutions! Kudos to the authors for compiling this fairly extensive assemblage of global efforts to improve our built environment.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't see an e-book version, I'd recommend that if possible. The paper version feels like a collection of snapshots, there are no project plans and only a few photos contain people. I found it hard to envision these designs in terms of scale or layout. Much of the text is in this incredibly tiny font I found almost unreadable, that includes the links to the buildings webpages that are stuck in the back in their own appendix. Why aren't they on the project page?

A mediocre reading experience.

[Aranya Iyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly out of touch with most people's reality - and that's coming from an optimistic point of view with someone who is tied to environmental causes. Very weird book. Probably something for rich people to think about and glad hand each other about.