Award-winning architect and winner of "House Beautiful's" annual competition of Best Small House contest, Walker masterfully shows laymen how to design the house that fits their particular needs, relates to their site and budget, and reflects their values and personality.

What is a decent home? Does it simply provide shelter from the elements? Is it affordable enough that you can buy the other necessities of life? Does it connect you to a community with adequate social and economic resources? Noted housing expert Alan Mallach turns his decades of experience to these questions in "A Decent Home". Mallach's nuanced analysis of housing issues critical to communities across the country will help planners evaluate the housing situation in their own communities and formulate specific plans to address a variety of housing problems. The book is both a practical step-by-step guide to developing affordable housing and a sophisticated introduction to housing policy. Chapters address design, site selection, project approval, financing, and the history of housing policy in the United States. Planners will find useful information about inclusionary and exclusionary zoning, affordable housing preservation, and the risks and rewards of affordable-home-ownership programs. Mallach also connects the dots among regional economic competitiveness, quality of life, community revitalization, and affordable housing.

Building a new house begins with a home plan, but the two-dimensional drawings used by contractors are often difficult to interpret and challenging to visualize. In easy-to-understand language, Larry W. Garnett explains construction terminology and basic design principles, enabling you to expertly navigate every step of the home-building process. From selecting a plan to judging its room-by-room suitability and requesting modifications, Home Plan Doctor offers cost-effective suggestions and encouraging guidance so that you can create the house of your dreams.

Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. The All-in-One Custom Homebuilders Guide--Fully Updated with the Latest Green Construction Methods How to Plan, Contract, and Build Your Own Home, fifth edition, gives you the information you need during every step of the homebuilding process--from selecting materials to designing the rooms to working with a contractor. Featuring practical, cost-effective ways of planning, designing, and building energy-efficient homes, the book presents money- and energy-saving options in every chapter. This thoroughly revised reference explains how you can implement many of the green construction strategies that make up the U.S. Green Building Council's award-winning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. Written by experienced instructors and builders, this is the most complete planning and homebuilding resource available. Learn how to: Select the building site that best suits your project Determine floor plans and types of construction, foundations, framing, and finishing Use energy-efficient electric, lighting, heating, cooling, and insulation Choose the best quality floors, wall coverings, fixtures, and appliances for your budget Integrate green construction systems, components, and materials throughout your home Include amenities such as decks, patios, gazebos, sidewalks, and driveways Find and work with an established, skilled, and reliable contractor

Experience the craft of Dan Sater, a true master of residential home design, as you turn the pages of this stunningly beautiful book. Here you will find 32 of Dan's finest and largest luxury estate homes?most never before published?from authentically detailed and richly appointed Tuscan and Spanish masterpieces to breezy, refreshing Florida-style seaside treasures. Read a candid introduction of each project from Dan and then go on a breathtaking pictorial and narrative tour of each home. See a birds-eye view of the property on the colorful site plan and ?walk through? the house using the detailed floor plan. Glimpse some of Dan's most creative past and future projects in the ?Concepts? chapter and consult the ?Resource List? at the back for valuable information on builders, landscapers, pool contractors, interior designers, lighting engineers and photographers who have been part of the ?Sater Team.? For those who are designing, building, furnishing or just dreaming about a state-of-the-art luxury home, this inspiring book will be a fantastic wish come true. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to peek over the shoulder of one of America's acclaimed residential designers and enter some of the most enchanting and stimulating homes ever built!

A #1 best seller for years, Bill Hirsch's Designing Your Perfect House: Lessons from an Architect has been called an essential read for Homeowners as well as Professionals. Bill's flowing style of writing makes you feel like you are sitting with him having a chat about your project. The philosophy behind design decisions is explained with stories, photos, sketches, and checklists. The book is divided into Twelve Lessons, with an additional Bonus Lesson ," Building Green, Naturally". You will learn how to evaluate your needs and work towards creating a suitable design, perfect for you and your family. The experience of home design and construction should be controllable, gratifying and enjoyable. With the valuable advice that Designing Your Perfect House: Lessons from an Architect provides, it can be.

This uniquely practical guide will help guarantee that the home you build, buy, or renovate will perfectly suit your needs, desires, and lifestyle.