An in-depth look at the strategies employed in sustainable home design.

Do you want to have electricity and hot water at any time, no matter what's going on outside your property? Do you want to have more control over the things you eat and how they are processed? Do you want your family safe from the worries of a bad economy and crime?If you answered "yes" to these questions, then living off the grid may be for you. Although living off the grid takes some hard work, the benefits make it all worthwhile. This practical guide gives you all the i...

Ever wanted a cabin or little cottage in the woods but don’t know where to start? With Log Cabins, author William S. Wicks offers clear, practical instructions on how to build your own log cabin-and furnish it, too-while harmonizing the structure’s interior and exterior with the surrounding environment. Topics include: Location scouting and preparation Foundations, tools, and materials Roofs and shingles Floors, ceilings, and partitions Chi...

In daily life, we can take control of the resources and services we depend on. Electricity and energy don’t have to come off the public utility grid—alternatives abound in solar, wind, and water generated power. Design decisions can drastically affect power consumption, and bio-diesel and alternative fuels can help break the oil habit. Dave Black describes alternatives for eco-pimping your home and lifestyle for independence, economy, and a more integrated way of life. Equally valuable for...

Discover the best cabin for your lifestyle and location with this illustrated guide featuring sixty-two floor plans for under one,zero feet.Design and build the comfortable cabin that perfectly suits your every desire. The sixty-two plans in Compact Cabins feature innovative storage solutions, clever use of outdoor space, mix-and-match modular elements, and off-the-grid energy options to help you create the cabin of your dreams—all in less than one,zero sq...

TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION TO SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES:ADVANTAGES OF SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES:DISADVANTAGES OF SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES:CONTAINER SIZES AND SPECIFICATIONS:NEW OR USED CONTAINER:PERMITS AND REGULATIONS:CHAPTER TWOFOUNDATION FOR SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES:SITE CONDITIONS:CLIMATE:MARKET FACTORS:BUILDING DESIGN:EXCAVATION AND FOOTINGS:TYPES OF MATERIALS USED FOR...

A must read book for anyone considering downsizing their home. The author's own journey through the downsizing experience translates into eminently practical advice for identifying your own priorities, finding your new smaller home, preparations before you move, and a host of tips and tricks for making your new smaller home a fresh and welcoming delight. Learn how to navigate the pitfalls, spark some new ideas about different property options for downsizing, and discover how to deal with l...

Featuring an extensive collection of full-color photographs, 150 Best Eco House Ideas features eco-friendly house designs created by internationally renowned architects and designers who have achieved practical, innovative, and stunning solutions adapted to the specific needs and tastes of their clients. Included here are the latest innovations in sustainable home design, including solar paneling, wind energy systems, environmentally-friendly heating and cooling solutions, thermal...

The airbrush is an essential tool for modellers striving for professional-looking results. It can greatly enhance the quality of your modelling output, whether applying a full livery scheme or simply blending in areas of new paintwork. A good airbrush will offer unparalleled levels of finish and consistency, as well as the chance to create unique effects such as weathering and stencilling. This book reveals how anyone can use an airbrush effectively, provided that a few basic rules are fol...

The only comprehensive, illustrated, step-by-step guide to building with earthbags.Over seventy percent of Americans cannot afford to own a code-enforced, contractor-built home. This has led to widespread interest in using natural materials-straw, cob, and earth-for building homes and other buildings that are inexpensive, and that rely largely on labor rather than expensive and often environmentally-damaging outsourced materials.Earthbag Building ...

Create origami boxes, bowls and containers with this easy origami book.Origami Boxes presents a collection of origami paper craft boxes from well-known origami author and expert Florence Temko, highlighting 24 original paper folding projects that are sure to please children and adults alike.Origami is the ideal craft for anyone who likes to create with their hands. The paper craft projects in this book can help you express your creativity by foldin...

Save 30% on home construction!Whether you want to take on all the responsibility of contracting your home or simply want to intelligently communicate with your homebuilder, The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home can help you save 30% or more on the cost of home construction by teaching you the ins and outs of managing your construction project.Learn how to get your project off to a solid start. Get financial and legal details in language you c...