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 From Control to Design: Parametric/Algorithmic Architecture.

No comments about High-Performance Building.

No comments about Environmental Planning for Site Development.

No comments about Low-Tech Light-Tech High-Tech.

3 comments about Noise Control Manual for Residential Buildings (Builder's Guide).

1. This is an invaluable reference. I've been searching for weeks for materials related to noise control in a residential setting. I've found only one "expert" in the yellow pages and he charges hundreds for his advice. This book provides all of the information he provided and more. Although, the editing isn't great and there are typos and other errors, the content is first-rate. For once, this book was exactly what I expected.



2. This is an invaluable reference. I've been searching for weeks for materials related to noise control in a residential setting. I've found only one "expert" in the yellow pages and he charges hundreds for his advice. This book provides all of the information he provided and more. Although, the editing isn't great and there are typos and other errors, the content is first-rate. For once, this book was exactly what I expected.



3. El Libro del Sr. Harris ha sido de gran ayuda en mi trabajo como Ingeniero Acústico. Sin lugar a dudas es un texto que debe estar en la biblioteca de toda persona ligada a la arquitectura, construcción y control de ruido. Un Gran Libro.

No comments about Stone Sampler.

1 comments about How to Estimate With Means Data & Costworks: Lean How to Estimate Using the Nation's Most Recognized Construction Cost Data.

1. I finally found an excellent estimating text that very clearly explains how to use the RS Means data books in performing construction estimates. I teach construction management at Missouri State University and am continually looking for publications that "put the cookies on the bottom shelf", so to speak.
   
   This text is very thoroughly written, exceptionally supported with worked-out examples with the solutions provided. After having dived into the chapters, I found it to be very plainly explained without insulting the intelligence of the reader.
   
   Even if you don't plan on using the CostWorks estimating software (we used WinEst), this is a worthwhile book for learning how to use RS Means data, the industry standard for construction costs.

2 comments about Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice.

1. This book was so advanced and technical that it was almost entirely useless to me. It is clearly for an advanced sound technician, someone who is going to be building concert halls and what not. I was looking for something with information on building a sound studio for a client. Too technical, too advanced. If your teacher doesn't require it, why the hell would you buy it. I gave it a 2 because someone will make use out of it somehow, someday, somewhere...i guess.



2. Hi! I have this book and think that it is a very very good book and very atualized about architetural acoustics because it brings not only the principles of acoustics but a lot of case studies of some famous places with ilustrations, wich are a good reference of the aplication of the design for a acoustical place. And brings too a section about the recent innovations in acoustical design and research. This book and David Egan's Architectural Acoustics makes a perfect couple for architects and other people who wants a good knowledge about acoustics in architecture. I really recommend.

5 comments about Wood: New Directions in Design and Architecture.

1. I am in agreement with the Amazon reviews I read from John and Scott on this one...
   
   1) Not featuring Greene and Greene quality of wood detailing.
   2) Nor a good guide for what it claims to cover.
   
   I think the cover sells this book to people. This seems to be a book I see a lot on the selves at Borders and Barnes and Noble; it must be marketed well with people pushing it pretty hard. It might sell too, but don't be fooled.
   
   If you're seeking books about wood and it's applications look for books with more substance such as the "In Detail" line, or "Wood Houses: Spaces for contemporary living," or seek specific architects (the ones in the Northwest such as James Cutler or Miller/Hull Partnership seem to come to mind, or an even better idea may be Shigeru Ban.) If you are a novice concerning architecture books who's just seeking a coffee-table book, start by picking up masters such as Mies or Corbu and work your way up into materials books.
   
   When buying books, it is not always true with books that you "pay for what you get," but in this case I paid relatively cheap, and that's exactly what I got.



2. This book is a must-read for architects and architecture students who are designing with wood. These well-chosen projects from around the world highlight the varying qualities which can be achieved through the use of wood. The designs reveal a close attention to the inherent properties of the material, and showcase many of the ways in which they can be exploited by a designer. The photographs nearly allow the reader to touch the material and feel the texture. This book is a great one to keep on the shelf and leaf through to ignite the imagination before beginning a new design. The book was previously published under the title "The New Wood Architecture."



3. If your expecting beautiful wooden architecture like Greene & Greene's or Val Agnoli's, look elsewhere. Most of the buildings in this book look cold and lifeless. I don't even think a Termite could stomach this book!



4. This book is not a very good guide for people interested in what its title claims to cover.
   The project selection is pretty poor with the exemption of a couple housed and Ando's projects.
   To put it simply the book lacks a larger gradient on the possibilities this material has to offer. The majority of the projects, which have practically no drawings to accompany them, are an aesthetic use of wood, and most of them do a poor job at this. Even so the book has great pictures and the projects are visually entertaining. They just don't sum up the new directions and design wood has taken in architecture.



5. You donÕt have to be a tree-hugger to love this book, which is as appealing to the senses as a forest after a spring shower. Stungo is based in London and the majority of the 31 buildings are European, though there are a few from Australia, Japan, and north AmericaÑincluding the marvelous Skyrose Chapel of Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings in Whittier. Sections examine green architecture, structural possibilities, and updating the vernacular, and houses are balanced by schools, museums, and sports buildings. Excellent photographs, plans, and sections supplement the concise text. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)