Guides to alternative homes
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Yurts, igloos and treehouses — hardly serious options for today’s homeowner, or are they? These so-called alternative dwellings have been around for centuries plus they are eco-friendly and ideal for those on a tight budget.
Forget dry wall - ice, adobe, cob and rammed earth are true environmentally friendly building materials and incredibly it’s possible to find serious guide books offering advice and tips for building everything from a traditional Mongolian yurt to a cosy underground cavern or a home high in the branches.
AbeBooks.com has compiled a list of the top 10 guides to building an alternative dwelling.
1. Yurts: Living in the Round by Becky Kemery
Yurts are cheap to build and energy efficient. If the neighbours are rowdy or the view becomes boring, pack up and move the whole house to somewhere else.
Yurts are cheap to build and energy efficient. If the neighbours are rowdy or the view becomes boring, pack up and move the whole house to somewhere else.
2. Building an Igloo by Ulli Steltzer
Fully biodegradable and no carbon footprint, igloos are not just for Eskimos. Plenty of ice for cocktails but warm weather clothing is essential.
Fully biodegradable and no carbon footprint, igloos are not just for Eskimos. Plenty of ice for cocktails but warm weather clothing is essential.
3. Build Your Own Treehouse: A Practical Guide by Maurice Barkley
Treehouses are not just for kids — Tarzan and Jane set up home high in the jungle branches so why can’t you?
Treehouses are not just for kids — Tarzan and Jane set up home high in the jungle branches so why can’t you?
4. The $50 and Up Underground House Book by Mike Oehler
Dig this book - cut down on heating costs with perfect insulation but the lawn is on your roof in this topsy-turvy dwelling. Views are some what limited.
Dig this book - cut down on heating costs with perfect insulation but the lawn is on your roof in this topsy-turvy dwelling. Views are some what limited.
5. Dome Story: Planning / Building a Geodesic Home by Lucas Grillis Adams
Dome sweet dome and so futuristic — you too could live in a huge spherical object.
Dome sweet dome and so futuristic — you too could live in a huge spherical object.
6. Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: And How to Build Them by Daniel Carter Beard
The ultimate urban modern dwelling? A home created entirely from recycled materials.
The ultimate urban modern dwelling? A home created entirely from recycled materials.
7. The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, and Use by Reginald Laubin
Tipis are probably the ultimate tent — warm, dry, robust and portable.
Tipis are probably the ultimate tent — warm, dry, robust and portable.
8. Build with Adobe: Revised and Enlarged by Marcia Southwick
Little more than a mixture of sand, clay and water — Adobe has been around for 4,000 years. Can you see dry wall being used in 6008?
Little more than a mixture of sand, clay and water — Adobe has been around for 4,000 years. Can you see dry wall being used in 6008?
9. Building with Cob: A Step-by-Step Guide by Adam Weismann
Another ancient building material first used a thousand years ago, cob (that’s adobe with straw) can withstand fire and earthquakes. A cob wall can be up to a yard thick — makes hanging pictures easy!
Another ancient building material first used a thousand years ago, cob (that’s adobe with straw) can withstand fire and earthquakes. A cob wall can be up to a yard thick — makes hanging pictures easy!
10. The Rammed Earth House by David Easton
Sand, gravel and clay is compressed and then dried to make a material that’s basically solid rock — probably been used for thousands of years.
Sand, gravel and clay is compressed and then dried to make a material that’s basically solid rock — probably been used for thousands of years.
