This was all that remained of a Federal style house in Rockland, Maine one day as I happened by a few years ago. The historic structure had been built in the late 1700’s and had been in a state of deterioration for many years until someone bought it with the intention of using the property for another purpose and decided to raze the place. By the time this photo was taken, much of what was salvageable had already been removed and now only the two chimneys and the central spiral stairway remained. Not all old buildings can or should be saved but this house represented to me the relentless march of time and temporary nature of many things that we work so hard to build. This image was included in my book RUIN: Photographs of a Vanishing America, which is a pictorial essay of abandoned architecture.
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If you want to plan, design, or remodel based on the vast tradition of American architectural styles you first have to understand their history, geography, architectural significance, and relationship to one another. This book can help with that.
Musings of an Energy Nerd: Toward an Energy-Efficient Home
Fine Homebuilding readers know Martin Holladay well and love his practical, cost-effective approach to energy-efficiency and green building. In this book, he walks you through every step of planning an energy-smart home that is healthy, durable, and comfortable.
This book earned author Sarah Susanka a reputation as a small house guru, yet, that wasn’t exactly her goal. This book isn’t about building a small house, it’s about building a smart house, one that matches how we live, and prioritizing beauty and comfort over size.
For anyone interested in a sensible and cost-effective approach to designing and building a home that is comfortable, healthy, efficient, and durable, this book is a fantastic starting point (really, it may be all you need!).
The New Carbon Architecture: Building to Cool the Climate
With this book, architect Bruce King changes the conversation around what it means to build a green home. Take everything you thought you knew about the topic, and just set it aside and let Bruce explain why embodied carbon trumps the rest of what is undoubtedly important.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently
say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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