'The ultimate traveller guilty pleasure, offering a look inside some of the most compelling cabins around the world' Lonely Planet Initially created by a group of friends as an online scrapbook, Cabin Porn became a phenomenon following the publication of the first volume of photographs of hand-made homes in breathtaking natural landscapes around the world. This new book - now available as a compact paperback - delves deeper into the best-loved homes featured on the blog over the last ten years, offering close-ups of the stunning architecture and interior design that make them truly remarkable. With more timeless photography and compelling design stories, Cabin Porn: Inside brings fresh inspiration for your quiet place somewhere.

Many communities in cities around the world do not like the growing number of residential towers, but they also realise that the detached house is not a sustainable urban solution. Between these two extremes, there is a 'missing middle' of mid-rise apartment buildings that relate to the street and are within the height of trees. This book argues that the mid-rise way of urban living is an essential component of growing cities, demonstrating that the economics of this form of development are better than that of terrace houses or town houses. It begins by examining successful historic precedents of this housing type, such as the tenements of Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona and New York and successful mid-rise housing in London. The book then discusses reasons for the relative lack of contemporary mid-rise housing developments, including planning legislation, and the perception that it is a dull and uniform building type. It brings together and analyses a wide range of award-winning international contemporary examples by leading architecture firms, looks at the importance of location, the need for urban placemaking, visual interest and design diversity and mixed use precincts, and highlights the advantages, including demographic diversity, urban density, sociability and reduction of car use.

Queering the Interior problematizes the familiar space of 'home'. It deploys a queer lens to view domestic interiors and conventions and uncovers some of the complexities of homemaking for queer people.Each of the book's six sections focuses on a different room or space inside the home. The journey starts with entryways, and continues through kitchens, living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, and finally, closets and studies. In each case up to three specialists bring their disciplinary expertise and queer perspectives to bear. The result is a fascinating collection of essays by scholars from literary studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, history and art history. The contributors use historical and sociological case studies; spatial, art and literary analyses; interviews; and experimental visual approaches to deliver fresh, detailed and grounded perspectives on the home and its queer dimensions. A highly creative approach to the analysis of domestic spaces, Queering the Interior makes an important contribution to the fields of gender studies, social and cultural history, cultural studies, design, architecture, anthropology, sociology, and cultural geography.

Keep current with the latest trends in interior design today with this informative and inspiring guide in the 150 Best series, packed with 500 pages of color and black-and-white photography. Discover how internationally renowned architects and designers are revitalizing modern design in this must-have compendium showcasing 150 full-color living spaces. In 150 Best New Interior Design Ideas, Macarena Abascal Valdenebro curates the most attractive, functional, and one-of-a-kind design ideas for a diverse range of living spaces. Renowned architects and designers from around the globe experiment with arrangement, color, texture, material, and finishes to create personalized spaces to suit every aesthetic preference. With full-color photographs, diagrams, and detailed descriptions, this exciting volume in the 150 Best series is a fount of ideas that will inspire students, young professionals, and seasoned pros alike to create beauty in everyday surroundings. A gorgeous, up-to-date chronicle of current design trends, 150 Best New Interior Design Ideas is an essential reference for designers, decorators, architects, and homeowners.

COMMONPLACES is the second volume of drawings, models, and photography to explore the work of this nationally recognized Boston based firm. As architects with decades of experience, we bring a commitment to creating shared communal places and we understand that a city - or a campus - is an ever- changing phenomenon. Our passion as architects has to do with how those places evolve and our goal is to contribute to a forward-looking vision of what they can become – of how they can be an appropriate addition to what is already there. The opportunities are always based on research, outreach, experimentation, and collaboration between often seemingly divergent interests. But we believe in that collaborative process and we recognize that there will be many fingerprints on what is developed. We also make an honest acknowledgement to ourselves that things could be done differently – that a different proposition could always be made. Brian Healy is an architect who works within the modern American tradition. That is to say, he endeavors to engage the tradition of practice as exemplified by architects such as Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis I. Kahn. It takes considerable courage to engage the American tradition of practice today, in a time dominated by an obsessive emphasis on universal “globalization,” and the parallel loss of local place, culture and identity. Yet, as Paul Ricoeur stated over forty years ago, while universal civilization is available around the world, and is desired by everyone, anywhere, there is no culture that is not local, that does not belong to a particular place. In his work, Healy endeavors to seek the essence of his discipline, architecture, as defined by its place and time—an American architecture, born of the commonplace and the vernacular, yet at the same time engaging the great works of our modern predecessors. – Robert McCarter

MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, the influential and award-winning firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, have an international reputation. Producing a wide range of projects both in Canada and further afield, they work in a sophisticated modern vernacular idiom, drawing inspiration from a rich local heritage of building types and reinterpreting them according to the best practices of 21st-century architecture. It is above all for their dignified and beautiful houses perched on the wild, rocky coasts of Nova Scotia that the firm is recognized. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this remarkable body of work is based around a number of plan types that answer to the particular local climate: open to the sun but sheltered from the winds, and built using traditional materials that are allowed to weather, these dwellings embody the architects' engagement with their unique surroundings and material culture. This new monograph covers MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects' complete work. Introductions by renowned architectural writers set the scene, while individual projects are illustrated through evocative photographs and detailed plans and drawings. What emerges is a celebration of an architecture that is both practical and deeply poetic.

Victor, Colorado -- the City of Mines - came into life in the early 1890s when a prospector who had been unsuccessfully searching for gold for nineteen years finally hit pay dirt. Victor, and the nearby Cripple Creek, became the two key towns in a strip of land just ten miles by six that offered up an extraordinary geological bonanza. People flocked into Victor in search of their fortunes and its population quickly rose to over 18,000. Flourishing businesses served the miners and the hundreds of surrounding mines, and an area which had once been isolated ranching country became totally transformed. The gold and the prospectors are now long gone, but Victor, with its current population of now only 450, still echoes this history in its streets and buildings.Anderson & Low discovered it by chance fifteen years ago and were immediately mesmerized by the town's individuality. With its sense of being a place outside of time - neither of the present nor of the past - it has drawn them back repeatedly.In their images they weave back-and-forth from expansive landscapes, through to expressive architectural images and intimate interiors. Whilst their subjects are primarily architectural, the human imprint of these historic structures is evident and powerfully conveyed. The result is a disarmingly intimate and moving study of a small American town.

How has housing changed in Sub-Saharan Africa since the first Europeans set foot on the continent? Why don't Africans live in their traditional homes any longer? This historical evolution from "hut to house," from traditional abode to Western-style house, considers the consequences of slavery, colonialism, and other social influences, with a focus on the Central African country of Cameroon, known as "Africa in Miniature" because of its geographical and cultural representation of the continent at large. Descriptions of architectural styles, layouts, materials, and construction techniques are woven into a discussion of the larger historical and cultural context, examining how lifestyle changes and architectural trends influence one another. Readers will come away with a rich understanding of the challenges and opportunities for a new generation of African architects to integrate the lessons of the past and create a future most responsive to the needs of the region.

With a documented history stretching back a thousand years, Dunster Castle in Somerset is one of Britain's oldest and most intriguing great buildings, its turrets evoking centuries of warfare, dark deeds, bloodshed and treachery. What makes it particularly unusual is the prominent role women have played in its fortunes, from the indomitable Joan de Mohun in the 14th century, who promised as much land to the villagers as she could walk around barefoot in a day, to Lady Jane Luttrell, who saw off a Royalist attack during the English Civil War by personally commanding the cannons. Jim Lee worked for many years at the castle and knows more about it than just about anyone. Here he presents an entertaining history of the roles, from the heroic to the self-indulgent, its women have played over the centuries.

Dover Castle is one of England's greatest fortresses. At its heart lies the Great Tower, a huge Anglo-Norman keep that has dominated the White Cliffs since the 1180s, remaining in continuous use thereafter. This book explores the history and development of the Great Tower in detail, beginning with its construction in the reign of Henry II and ending when the Ministry of Works took it over in 1930, to conserve and open it as a monument for public visits. The book is comprised of several chapters by thirteen contributors, and looks at three main themes. The first examines the making of the Great Tower as the centrepiece of Henry II's rebuilding of the whole castle on an immense scale in the 1180s, pointing to its English and Continental ancestry as well as the people and political circumstances which brought about its creation. The second theme is concerned with the subsequent history of the building as an occasional royal residence, the end of royal interest in the 17th century and its later use as a prison, barracks and ordnance store between the 18th and 20th centuries. A final theme examines trends in how the building has been interpreted as a public monument since 1930 and especially its most recent presentation, in 2009, to evoke appreciation of its use as envisaged when first built in the late 12th century.

This instalment of the Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Masterpiece Series focuses on Hive Architects' Shibusa Residence on the Big Sarasota Pass in Siesta Key, Florida. In response to the client's brief; for their future home to reflect their simple, uncomplicated lifestyle, the long, narrow lot and zoning requirements, the studio decided to base their project around the Japanese concept of Shibusa: economy of form, line and effort resulting in a refined, timeless tranquility. Featuring critical texts by renowned architectural writers, detailed plans and layouts and comprehensive photographic documentation, this monograph shows how the L-shaped structure made up of a pair of rectilinear pavilions seems to float over the tropical landscape, offering excellent functionality for the public and private programs, which include a main and guest pavilion, tropical garden and lap pool, and, crucially, an uninterrupted stream of views of the Big Sarasota Pass and/or Bayou Louise throughout the property.

'Neil Oliver writes beautifully - letting us see ourselves in a new light.' - Professor Alice Roberts 'Oliver is an evocative storyteller, vividly bringing his tales to life' BBC History Magazine ......................................................................................................................................................................... For longer than recorded history there have been tales of spirits and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns cold. Bestselling historian Neil Oliver travels the British Isles on a deliciously spine-chilling tour that spans several centuries and explores more than 20 sites - castles, vicarages and towers, lonely shorelines and forgotten battlefields - to unpick their stories.. Oliver invokes his family's history alongside that of kings and queens past as he probes why our emotions and senses are heightened in certain locations where the separation between dimensions seems gossamer thin. Our landscape is riven with these places, creaking from the weight of the secrets they hold, the echoes of tragedy and dark deeds . From Inverness to Devon, Co Dublin to Norfolk, Hauntings casts an enjoyably eerie glow with stories that, told generation after generation, are inextricable from place - and considers why they matter.

Designing private residences has its own very special challenges and nuances for the architect. The scale may be more modest than public projects, the technical fittings less complex than an industrial site, but the preferences, requirements, and vision of particular personalities becomes priority. The delicate task is to translate all the emotive associations and practical requirements of "home" into a workable, constructed reality. This publication rounds up 100 of the world's most interesting and pioneering homes designed in the past two decades, featuring a host of talents both new and established, including John Pawson,Shigeru Ban, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron, Daniel Libeskind, Alvaro Siza, and Peter Zumthor. Accommodating daily routines of eating, sleeping, and shelter, as well as offering the space for personal experience and relationships, this is architecture at its most elementary and its most intimate.

"Some particular books I found useful for A Game of Thrones and its sequels deserve mention...Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval City, both by Joseph and Frances Gies." -George R.R. Martin, author of the series A Song of Ice and Fire Medieval history comes alive in Joseph and Frances Gies's Life in a Medieval Castle, used as a research resource by George R. R. Martin in creating the world of A Game of Thrones. Newly reissued for the first time in decades, Life in a Medieval Castle is the bestselling classic that has introduced countless readers to the wonders of the Middle Ages. Focusing on a castle called Chepstow on the border between England and Wales, acclaimed Medievalists Joseph and Frances Gies offer an exquisite portrait of what day-to-day life was actually like during the era, and of the key role the castle played. The Gieses write eloquently about the many people whose lives revolved around the castle, from the lord and lady to the commoners of the surrounding village. We discover what lords and serfs alike would have worn, eaten, and done for leisure; the songs sung; and the codes of sexual conduct that maintained order. We learn of the essential role of honor in medieval culture, the initiation process undertaken by knights, and how castles attempted to keep the constant threats of outside violence at bay. Exhaustively researched and as engaging as any novel, Life in a Medieval Castle is the definitive text for anyone wishing to learn more about this fascinating era.

How climate influenced the design strategies of modernist architects Modern Architecture and Climate explores how leading architects of the twentieth century incorporated climate-mediating strategies into their designs, and shows how regional approaches to climate adaptability were essential to the development of modern architecture. Focusing on the period surrounding World War II-before fossil-fuel powered air-conditioning became widely available-Daniel Barber brings to light a vibrant and dynamic architectural discussion involving design, materials, and shading systems as means of interior climate control. He looks at projects by well-known architects such as Richard Neutra, Le Corbusier, Lucio Costa, Mies van der Rohe, and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, and the work of climate-focused architects such as MMM Roberto, Olgyay and Olgyay, and Cliff May. Drawing on the editorial projects of James Marston Fitch, Elizabeth Gordon, and others, he demonstrates how images and diagrams produced by architects helped conceptualize climate knowledge, alongside the work of meteorologists, physicists, engineers, and social scientists. Barber describes how this novel type of environmental media catalyzed new ways of thinking about climate and architectural design. Extensively illustrated with archival material, Modern Architecture and Climate provides global perspectives on modern architecture and its evolving relationship with a changing climate, showcasing designs from Latin America, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa. This timely and important book reconciles the cultural dynamism of architecture with the material realities of ever-increasing carbon emissions from the mechanical cooling systems of buildings and offers a historical foundation for today's zero-carbon design.

As more and more people move into urban environments, there becomes a greater need for space-conscious housing in our cities. Collective Housing is a compilation of the best architectural designs for shared and social housing in a city or urban environment, where aesthetics are integral, and utilization of space imperative. The projects featured come from cities around the world, both those known for innovation in urban architecture, such as Tokyo, London and Barcelona, and those aspiring to world-class status. The book provides an illuminating look at the future of our urban landscapes. Architectural plans and drawings are featured alongside renderings and photographs of the completed housing projects. The text accompanying the images provides further insight into the design, execution and consideration of the space. The architects featured were often constrained by existing structures, small or awkward plots of land and strict city codes heightening their creative sensibilities.

The doors are wide open and you're welcome to wander through. Don't worry about the carpets as you enter through stately doorways, cozy up to colossal fireplaces, and climb poetic staircases. For those who love the old homes of the New England area, this is a chance to enter and inspect the window sills and cupboards up close. This excellent new third edition features more than 400 photographs and illustrations, along with helpful tips provided to guide the remodeller of Jacobean, Colonial, Georgian, and Federal homes toward duplicating these antique architectural features. There are also architectural drawings from the Library of Congress and by Asher Benjamin, one of the leading New England builders and most influential designers of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Townhouses are some of the most interesting creations of modern urban architecture. This selection of newly designed townhouses includes unconventional architectural concepts in terms of imaginative use of space and creative ways of capturing natural light.

From the gothic fantasies of Walpole's Otranto to post-modern takes on the country house by Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan, Phyllis Richardson guides us on a tour through buildings real and imagined to examine how authors' personal experiences helped to shape the homes that have become icons of English literature. We encounter Jane Austen drinking 'too much wine' in the lavish ballroom of a Hampshire manor, discover how Virginia Woolf's love of Talland House at St Ives is palpable in To the Lighthouse, and find Evelyn Waugh remembering Madresfield Court as he plots Charles Ryder's return to Brideshead. Drawing on historical sources, biographies, letters, diaries and the novels themselves, House of Fiction opens the doors to these celebrated houses, while offering candid glimpses of the writers who brought them to life.

"It makes me feel guilty that anybody should have such a good time doing what they are supposed to do." - Charles Eames on architecture. "A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines." - Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture. Architectural travel is on the rise. With this book you not only have a reference book of 150 of the world's most iconic private homes, but also a bucket list to plan your next country or city trip. These homes are unique, either because of the aesthetics of the interiors, the construction, or the sophisticated design. This is the ultimate architecture travel wish list. For each house, the authors provide a lively description of the building and its owners, in addition to the specifics of architect, date, and location. 150 Houses You Need to Visit Before You Die is the ultimate 'architecture bucket list' and the sequel to the successful 150 Bars You Need to Visit before You Die, 150 Restaurants You Need to Visit Before You Die and 150 Hotels You Need to Visit before You Die. Features houses in: Belgium, France, Spain, the US, Brazil, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Morocco, Portugal, Venezuela, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Scotland, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Solvenia, Hawaii, Australia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Japan, Israel, Canada, Serbia, Poland, Norway, and England, by architects such as Moshe Safdie, Kisho Kurokawa, Harry Seidler, Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, Alvar Aalto, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Carlo Mollino, Carlo Scarpa, Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius, Bruno Taut, Max Bill, Mario Botta, Gio Ponti, Adolf Loos, Eero Saarinen, Frank Lloyd Wright, Georgia O'Keeffe, Richard Neutra, Antoni Gaudi, and Victor Horta.

How many of us have a desire to make a home of a neglected building that is begging to be restored to its former splendour? This is just such a story - the renovation of a derelict windmill and in the process the discovery of a fascinating history. It charts the realization of a young boy's dream and, despite the numerous obstacles and problems, the successful culmination of many hopes and plans. The reader is invited to share with the author his hopes, worries, triumphs and setbacks as he strives to make the dream a reality. The saying "to throw one's cap over the windmill" means to act recklessly and provides an apt title for the book, reflecting Kenneth's impetuous pursuit of the propety which he secured and restored, seemingly against the odds.

RESIDENSITY: A Carbon Analysis of Residential Typologies is the culmination of a seven-year study analysing nine building typologies to understand the relationships between building densities and the amount of land and infrastructure required to support them. The book investigates how much embodied and consumed carbon is used in each typology and how it affects density and open space from the viewpoint of sustainability, carbon emissions, and carbon sequestration. The study determines which building typology is the most sustainable on a comparative basis. Nine prototypical buildings were designed - Megatall, Supertall, High-Rise, Mid-Rise, Low-rise, Courtyard, Three-Flat, Urban Single-Family, and Suburban Single-Family - set within nine prototypical communities. The study designates an archetypal residential community of 2,000 units with an average unit size of 150 sm as a reasonable and representative cross section of different housing typologies.