Customer Reviews

Earth-Sheltered House, Revised Edition: An Architect's Sketchbook

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have many of Malcolm"s writings and drawings (mostly in book form). This book is a great collection of his many designs, details and actual buildings. They are inspirational and wide-ranging. Though he passed away in 2009 his work speaks to us more strongly with every passing day, every year, and every accumulating global disaster. I came to the conclusion years ago that he was a major thinker, in fact a prophet. Not the gloom/doom kind (like me)--but the kind who sees trouble in the world far into the future, and returns to the world hopeful, positive, practical solutions. If we took this humble but brilliant man seriously we would probably be living much closer to paradise. His thinking could be the basis for 'inhabiting' a living earth, not turning it inside out- with oil on top: in air, water, and everywhere.

Ultimately his work challenges us to be to be more wild, free, and responsible- like natural processes. This book is a gate opening onto many paths. Take one.

(See:malcolmwells.com for more resources)

This would be a nice coffee table book to flip through if one was only mildly interested in unusual architecture.

However, if you are looking for a book with viable building plans for underground homes - this book leaves you hungry.

Many of the drawings are for commercial buildings - one is even for an underground fire dept. Not enough focus on single family homes. Also, there were many sketches that involved flights of fancy and while they may be interesting they are not very practical for everyday use.

THE EARTH-SHELTERED HOUSE is a classic in sustainable-building books and comes from a legend in the area of environmentally responsible architecture, who offers a fine survey of tips and personal experiences designing a range of structures. Homey handwritten notes accompany black and white drawings and diagrams perfect for any library strong in alternative architecture and environmentally-conscious structures.

I found this book "by accident;" a spontaneous shopping spree for anything earthy & architectural... 90+ percent of my others were donated one way or another somewhere else... This one is un-put-down-able!!! I have read & re-read it. My boyfriend (not usually into architectural "reads") read it cover-to-cover in one read. I'm getting a set for my eldest & my baby, both artists, earthy & architecturally appreciative. Amazing book!! G-E-N-I-U-S author/architect! I can't say enough!

This is an eye opening book. A lot of Wells conceptual designs that never were constructed. I enjoyed this book very much. Its a shame this book is all black and white, I just wanted to seem some color on some of the sketches. This book is very much worth the money. One of my favorite wells books. I like the way this book is put together, some of my favorite binding type as well.