Product Description

This revised and updated edition of the guide to the process of building for yourself gives both inspiration and practical information. It relates personal experiences of putting theory into practice; outlines an environmentally friendly approach to design, choice of materials and energy conservation; includes a practical guide to organizing a project which covers land, finance, permissions and professional help; and includes a detailed manual on the Segal Method of timber construction, because of its particular advantage to self-builders. Jon Broome and Brian Richardson are both architects with a great deal of self-build experience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #657476 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 271 pages

Murray Armor, Build It! magazine
"The authors have been involved in many interesting low-cost schemes, and have a lot to say that is of value to even the most pragmatic reader... Altogether an excellent read for anyone wanting to know more about self-build: a celebration of the unconventional that is both readable and valuable."

Alan Blanc, Building Design
"Both authors are actively involved in the self-build movement and bring to the topic a lively enthusiasm coupled with well-balanced advice for would-be self-builders. The writing is pleasantly straightforward, and forms an excellent manual whether the designing and building process is involved with a one-off house or a group of dwellings."

John McKean, Architects Journal
"Not just those spurred on to house themselves, but anyone enthused to join the world of building will learn much here."

Customer Reviews

There is much that is interesting but its hard to get at.
This stikes me as a very British book. It is well written, has much of interest in it, particularly about self build/help groups projects, but it feels incomplete somehow. I bought the book because I was interested in the Segal method of timber framing and though much of the book is concerned with it, I found it difficult to get at any details. There are few diagrams or photographs that convey more than a general impressions. There are no solid ideas about the sizes of timbers used or what loads they would carry. Joints are covered to some extent and the general approach to building is there. You could not really plan, never mind build a house using this book. Having said that the historical stuff about self building is fascinating.