The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture (Hardcover)
December 31, 2009 by admin
Filed under Green Building Products
Review
“A book for the environmentally and aesthetically conscious…this book is as poignant as it is refreshing.” — Loft Magazine, September 2005″THE GREEN HOUSE will serve as a handsome resource guide and inspiration for designers and their clients.” — Architectural Record, September 2005…demonstrate(s) quite vividly that environmental responsibility and dazzling design are no longer mutually exclusive. — Town & Country, January 2006A rich coffee table prize as well as a re (more…)
The design goals of a green house are:
1. Harmonize with the site.
2. Build as small as possible.
3. Use natural heating and cooling
4. Be beautiful as well as ecological.
5. Located close to there the dwellers have to go (work, school, shopping).
6. Refurbish older buildings where possible.
The thirty or so houses described in this book fit these criteria as best as possible. Some of these are in remote locations so fail in that criteria (unless you work at home and do not have children in school). But a surprising number of these dwellings are in cities: New York, Vienna, Stuttgart, Melbourne, San Antonio, Phoenix.
The houses are striking in appearance, inexpensive to build, totally functional. As with other books of home plans, these houses serve as idea books for architects and potential owners to use in their new designs.
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Green House
This is a nothing book. Re-hash at best…This is one of the first,of many books, I would like to return. Ron
As a coffee table book of high-style architecture with a ‘green’ focus, this is an excellent book. Everything is well documented, and there are beautiful pictures of a diverse set of very creatively designed structures. I would argue that many of the single-family homes break the principal of building only as large as necessary, but that’s pretty typical of high-end ‘aesthetic’ architecture anyway. There are also a number of green apartment buildings, and even one low-income complex.
Unfortunately, I wanted a book on green homes built by average people, not multi-million dollar projects. Thus, I returned the book and ordered “Good Green Homes” instead.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just What We Were Looking For
My husband and I have a dream of building a sustainable green home. We bought this book to get ideas and get inspired. It worked on both counts.
The book is more than a good addition to a coffee table to tempt your unsuspecting guest. The book begins with a short philosophical journey on the definitions of sustainability. I was surprised to find how the word has eveolved as well as its application to architecture. Following the introduction is an excellent breakdown of a wide range of houses and buildings created in diverse environments. The creative ways in which “greenness” was incorporated into the construction of the buildings was fascinating. My wife and I want to build a “green” house, but I realized as I read this book that I really didn’t know what that meant. The book is not a how-to manual for direct applications, but offers important perspectives that will likely apply to whatever project one may consider. The book serves as an excellent incubator to reflect on how you create a “green” house. We have a folder of ideas for our “green” house. This book dhowed us how we can make it happen – but without the final blue prints. The book also provided names and examples that provide key references to realizing “green” architecture. For example, we have names and ideas that we can incorporate into our collaboration with an architect for our house design. Overall, I highly recommmend it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Purchase!
The order was processed and shipped very quickly. The product is just as it was described. Excellent purchase experience!
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture
Well designed and easy to use Layout on this Book for People interested in modern & green architecture. I recommend this book without any doubt. A very good source of inspiration!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice
Very nice book if you are interested in sustainbility and green architecture.
2.0 out of 5 stars
For architects or the coffee table
The book focuses on very modern designs, which are frequently stark or very heavy on the glass and steel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good ideas
I liked this book and I think the other reviews have summed this book up well.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice pictures. Not much content.
Has some nice pretty pictures and limited text about each property. Does cover a variety of types of housing from city buildings to country living in many different climates but…
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Moral Impetatives of Architecture in the 21st Century
This book is a credit to Princeton Architectural Press because, rather than recite simplistic platitudes about green architecture, it illustrates green buildings that not only…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Over twenty residences are featured
Any home builder who would learn better ways to fit a home within a landscape or ecological environment would do well to consult The Green House: New Directions In Sustainable…