Customer Reviews

Natural Timber Frame Homes: Building with Wood, Stone, Clay and Straw

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

 

 

This book is far from typical. It is well written and has a strong theme about the economic and environmental imperative of natural building with local materials. Gibbs and Smith typically publish pictures books with writing that is secondary to design. This book has both great writing and great pictures. And it will challenge any homeowner, builder or designer to rethink conventional building norms. Well done.

My wife & I are planning to build our own timber frame home in the Pacific Northwest. This book really helped out with our design and material selections. We have had the pleasure of touring both of the author's homes in Idaho and were impressed with the personal touches in each one.

This book is a collection of nice pictures flavoured with spirited writing about the need of green built homes. And thats all. The information content is nil. For me a waste of money and time. Oh, maybe if you can buy it used for 2$ before you get on the subway you can flip it on you way from work

Was hoping this book would have some details as to how to build or even an overview of the type of construction. Not really, it is more of a picture / coffee book of homes that were built with natural materials.

Beautiful photographs and writing present an excellent overview of builder/owner timber frame homes. A must have.

It is a great book on building green and historical facts but not so much on timber framing. Overall it is a very good book on building in a manner that is economical, supports the environment and healthy living. For that I give the author very high marks but as for actually doing the building I have questions. My first concerns are building permits. In some areas of the country that may not be a problem but others it could be almost impossible. Just to get a permit to build a timber frame could send shock waves through a building department but to suggest walling it with straw and clas could kill the whole idea. A thatch room would be completely out of the question. Overall, the book is great reading and should be read by anyone who have concerns about the homes in which we live.