Eco House Book
This large-format publication continues Conran's long-standing "House Book" series. His design influence in the UK is perhaps equivalent to Martha Stewart's here. Not as comprehensive as hisUltimate House Book,this new effort, devoted to green building touches on siting, orientation, building materials, finishes, gardens, recyling, energy saving, and home-scale energy generation. Conran also dicusses conversions and adding on. Quality color photographs show innovative design approaches and detailing, though carpets and curtains are rare. In the final section,"Case Studies," Conran profiles 17 green homes located in Europe, the United States, and Australia. Whether new builds or renovations, most featured reused materials. Each receives a floor plan or sectional drawing. Terminology is steadfastly British, and a resource list contains only a few American items. However, homeowners will find inspiration in these images of places attuned to nature. VERDICT: This worthy and sophisticated promotion of green building is recommended to those considering home additions or looking for design ideas.—Library Journal