The Good House Book: A Common Sense Guide to Alternative Homebuilding

Reviews

"As an architect and professor of architecture at the College of Architecture at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I have reviewed numerous books on alternative building concepts and techniques in search of texts to recommend to students and others with little or no prior knowledge of the subject. 'The Good House Book' is the best I have come across for such an audience.

This author introduces the reader to the most basic concepts at work, an introduction too often absent in similar texts. This material is presented with both clear text and helpful visuals, making it easily understandable by a reader with little prior knowledge of the physical sciences. With the same degree of clarity, the author proceeds to instruct, in comprehensive detail, the techniques for implementation through the completion of construction.

I recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the alternatives to systems that currently dominate building in The United States."

-- Nelson S Benzing, Architect

 

"The Good House Book is a loaded surprise: it is loaded full of the beauty of human efforts to create structures that keep us alive and comfortable on this planet; and a welcome surprise for the great depth to which it explores its subject of shelter. It is as attractively presented as a coffee table book, but covers a broad spectrum of building possibilities from general theory to specific applications, both historical and contemporary.

An initial visual foray into the book reveals beautiful photographic illustrations throughout, often arranged in thought-provoking patterns of juxtaposition: traditional structures versus modern versus alternative. This is not a how-to, step-by-step book, but a book of ideas and underlying principles, supported by specific examples.

In a chapter on Materials, we learn that ancient Roman concrete was pounded into place rather than poured wet, creating a material free of weak pockets, so strong that it did not rely on internal reinforcing, and allowing the creation of such enduring structures as the Coliseum in Rome. On a facing page concrete spews from a hose into a footing laced with reinforcing bar. This photo is annotated by a guest essay exploring modern concrete, which among other things explains why modern builders often pour it so wet (it flows easily into the forms and flows around the reinforcing bar), why too wet might not be such a good idea (pouring too wet can create small air pockets that lead to water infiltration and early failure), and examples when we pack it much drier still today (for example, when building a dam that needs to be very strong and justifies the extra effort). I have always been taught to mix and place concrete as dry as possible, but after reading these two pages I have a much better idea of why I would want to do so, and I am better aware that there is a continuum of options to choose from, each with benefits and consequences.

The central thread to The Good House Book is the rhetorical question of "What is a good building." The short answer, supplied by the author, is that a good building is specific: moving deftly from generalities to specifics makes this book not only entertaining, but practical.

Buildings can do more than last a long time and provide shelter. They also affect our spirit. Here is an example of one question explored by The Good House Book: Why does being in one space make you feel you feel good (monastery), while being in another makes you feel otherwise (modern shopping mall).

One of my favorite chapters is Applications, which interviews a number of owner/builders about their homes-concept, design, structure, relationship to and protection from the environment, lessons learned, and advice to aspiring builders.

The Good House Book will surely appeal to those interested in building their own alternative house. Beyond that, it will thoughtfully engage anyone interested in what makes a good house good, and any house better. The Good House Book is thoughtful and thorough, a very good book indeed."

-- John McDonald

 

"I just wanted to say thank you for writing The Good House Book. I really enjoyed the approach you took with it.

The most valueable chapter for me was the Reality Check...it has really got me thinking about wether this kind of project is for me or not.

I tell ya though, the self sufficiancy nugget at the end of building feels like it will be worth it to me. My wife and I have different ideas on how we want to live, so we'll have to really look at that in depth before moving forward.

Thanks again for your book, it made a difference for me.

--Brian Burggraff

 

"Very comprehensive book which expertly and clearly details the differences between natural/sustainable methods and their conventional counterparts. The book makes an incredible case for natural building and the philosophy of sustainability. After reading "The Good House Book", it's hard to understand why you wouldn't want to build a house this way. On a personal note, this book has been inspirational to me as an undergrad student trying to get into an architecture school and train to be a sustainable architect. Also I'm coming from a traditional carpentry background and know that the things Clarke Snell is writing about are right on the money."

--Michael J. Stroh

 

"Okay - so I've never thought about the actual mechanics of building a house nor about the choices that allow us to enjoy the beauty of the planet without doing it harm. My concerns have usually been of the strictly visual sort - I am an artist . This book is almost startlingly good - Clarke Snell has managed to stimulate even the most laissez-faire amongst us to pay attention to laws respecting our environment and combine them with our desires for beauty and comfort not only for the past but indeed for the future."

--Eileen Mandle

© Clarke Snell, 2005