Customer Reviews

Small Adobe House, The

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

 

 

This lovely little book is packed with beautiful photos. every page reminds me why, when i build a house, i'll build it adobe-style. you learn a little bit about the history of adobe, its evolution as new architectural ideas moved west, and crucial bits of vocabulary pertinent to adobe homes, such as vigas (celing beams), latillas, canelas & more. this is a lovely book, and excellent for fantasizing about the future.

I grabbed this book with enthusiasm since I'm in the middle of trying to design a small (1000 square feet) house and wanted to incorporate some adobe design elements. However, this book is just about the most shallow introduction one could find to adobe home design. It is basically a collection of photos of posh homes (some of which aren't even adobe -- while the preface confesses, the captions don't reveal) with a text that strings together architectural blandishments -- I laughed especially at the quote that "white plastered adobe walls serve as blank canvases for...exotic artwork". Anyone who has lived with adobe knows that hanging something on a wall made of dirt is a bear.

Even just within the state of New Mexico there are far more, and better, examples of adobe houses, which are truly small, aren't "architect designed" or stuffed full of modern art and antique furniture. A less rarefied take, with more attention to the design elements that arise honestly from the material, would be welcome.

This book is sort of odd. It starts off as a brisk chapter by chapter ode to elements of adobe houses. But it ends with an inordinate amount of space dedicated to one contemporary house that is somewhat related to the houses discussed throughout the bulk of the book.

Not enough space is spent discussing any one element of adobe houses, so it should be considered something of a small, short coffee table book.

I liked the book I don't really even understand why the word "small" is in the title since it doesn't even discuss the concept of small houses in any seriousness.

Its most redeeming feature is that it has attractive photographs.

This is a beautiful book. It is an excellent addition to my library of Adobe house books. I will be building an adobe house in the next couple of years and this book is a great reference.

Nice little book, fair price, but the same photos as in similar books I've purchased...

Great book showing some fantastic homes. Lots of great ideas for when I move west and get an adobe. If you have an interest in this type and style home this is a good book to have in your library.

This is a great additional to our book collection and is a must have for anyone who is designing their house with the "Santa Fe" look. The pictures are just wonderful!

In comparison to other books available about adobe houses, the content of this book offers little range and depth. Other choices were less superficial.

Robert Reck's photography is beautiful (as always). It was a wonderful surprise to see MY OWN Santa Fe work in the book!

The book gives a great feel for the beauty of the Adobe Home and the time tested vernacular of the details.