A House on the Water: Inspiration for Living at the Water's Edge [Hardcover]

Robert Knight (Author), Randy O'Rourke (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2003

There is a universal longing to live near the water... and this inspiring book can make that dream come true. What's it really like to live near the sea (or on a lake or at the river's edge)? Maine architect Robert Knight looks at 25 homes that are enhanced by the water around them; and he presents six design themes to help the reader understand what makes a house on the water work well. Features an outstanding portfolio of homes filled with inspiration.- The book taps into a universal desire to live near the water.- Real-world, well-designed homes with dream appeal--plus, strategies for anyone thinking of building a house on the water.- 300 color photos and site plans bring the homes to life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Emphasizing the ways good architecture affects perception and mood, Robert Knight offers valuable lessons in how to create a waterside home that embraces both its site and its occupants."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (October 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561586072
• ISBN-13: 978-1561586073
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for dreamers and designers, October 7, 2003

By 

"kharvie" (Manchester, ME.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House on the Water: Inspiration for Living at the Water's Edge (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for those who dream about that perfect home on the water and those who want to learn more about good design and good architecture. The layouts and photos are wonderful, and in and of themselves provide a tutorial in design excellence.

Bob Knight's prose is accessible and informative in describing the choices each architect faced and what makes their designs work. By avoiding the esoteric and making a straightforward presentation about the design solutions he likes, Knight provides readers with an insight into the design process that may help build their dreams.

Books, like good movies and good restaurants, should do what they say they are going to do and do it well. This one does. It provides a thoughful perspective from Knight's experience as an architect and draws conclusions that the reader can verify or challenge based on the photos, graphics, and their own time on the water.

I particularly appreciated the fact that Knight visited each of the homes and that he based his observations on real, not paper architecture.

I recommend this book for dreamers and designers. It would make a great fall/winter read on those cold rainy days.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The way a book on architecture should be, October 4, 2003

By 

Peter d'Entremont (Blue Hill, Maine USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House on the Water: Inspiration for Living at the Water's Edge (Hardcover)

I work for Robert Knight. I work for him because he can express ideas about architecture where most architects, and architecture critics cannot. I had no idea I would enjoy this book as much as I did. Robert Knight has a way of drawing you into a design and making it sensible. The houses chosen for this book are as varied as any I have ever seen in a book of this type. The design are uniformly excellent examples representing a wide range of styles and locales. The photography is equally excellent. We expect good photography, and pretty buildings, but these are substantial buildings and Robert Knight has been a most enjoyable guide.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inspired to build a house by the water, October 7, 2003

By 

c. john (Ithaca, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House on the Water: Inspiration for Living at the Water's Edge (Hardcover)

This book includes beautifully composed photographs of carefully selected private homes that overlook natural bodies of water across the USA. The author demonstrates his keen appreciation for good, functional and inspiring design in his selection of homes to show. Even if you are not in the market for a home by the water, a careful study of this book will inspire you to think about how your current home frames nature and invites the inspirations of natural scenes into your living spaces.