Energy-efficient houses have more than just cost savings going for them. They can be stunningly beautiful and individualistic and fit into their surroundings with grace and style. The 31 articles from FINE HOMEBUILDING magazine collected here show how designers and builders have incorporated energy considerations into both traditional and modern houses, built for hot and cold and wet climates.

The first comprehensive guide of its kind, Building an Affordable House is for homeowners and building contractors who want to incorporate proven cost-saving techniques into their projects. Written by a contractor who has been nationally recognized for his innovative approach to cost control, this book shows readers how to generate significant savings on major projects such as building a new home or adding on to an existing one. The first section...

Describes the art and technique of how things are built, from mud huts to city skyscrapers.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has prepared this guide specifically for homeowners who want to know how to protect their homes from flooding. As a homeowner, you need clear information about the options available to you and straightforward guidance that will help you make decisions. This guide gives you both, in a form designed for readers who have little or no experience with flood protection methods or building construction techniques....

Manual for earthen home construction. Cobbing is mud daubing: earth, sand and straw are mixed together, massaged into the foundation creating thick load-bearing walls.

Sarah Susanka's Not So Big Solutions for Your Home explores practical design ideas that can transform any house into a great house that looks, works and feels right for the owner. Sarah Susanka, whose previous best-selling books showed homeowners how to appreciate and create a house that is beautiful, visually expansive and reflective of how families really live, now offers readers practical, everyday design ideas on everything from selecting a site...

A complete guide to managing your project like a pro, whether it s a remodel or a new home. Not only will you save a chunk of money, but you will be able to control the budget, schedule and manage the subcontractors while taking the project to a successful conclusion. You will see how to hire an architect, build a budget, make a schedule, manage subcontractors, get a permit, deal with inspectors and much more. Whether you are doing your own project...

Whenever possible, residential structures should not be located in flood-prone areas. Flooding in these areas is virtually assured at some point in the future, bringing with it the potential for property damage -- no matter how well a structure is designed -- as well as danger to building occupants. However, it is not always possible to avoid flood-prone areas. This manual is for designers, developers, builders, and others who wish to build elevated...

This publication shows how floodprone houses in south Florida were elevated above the 100-year flood level following Hurricane Andrew. Alternative elevation techniques are also demonstrated.