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Howdy, my self build book, selling OK thanks, costs quite a lot as an 'on-demand' exercise (£10 printing and binding...maybe a touch more but I have a friendly printer) £3 post + £2 packing...one those secure and snug commercial, folding jobs!)...anyway I'm not complaining though I do resent the commercial outfits that don't even reply or acknowledge the free copy for comment...you know who you are!...how much energy or cost does it take to Email 'thanks but no thanks...good luck' ? The realities of the fast moving world...Anyway the point of this blog is to ask for advice on production of an e-book. A member did offer assistance some months ago, but stupidly (or due to a grey moment) I omitted to write down his name, so assistance please, if possible...many thanks in advance. Jamie (caliwag)

In a recent blog, I listed some of the chapters on garden design and ways to approach...clue, 'The same way as a house layout'! So it seems reasonable to list some of the chapters and book reviews in my book...'Self Build Design...the last thing you need is an architect', not a sideswipe at architects, but a review of your way forward before the architect/designer's fee clock starts ticking. The book is equally appropriate for bespoke/custom designs, as well as renovations, rebuilds and extensions. There is no padding, none of it put together by Phil Space or Phillipa Page, and few pretty, pretty snaps to make you jealous. Here goes, in no particular order... House on a narrow plot...a tale of some real, narrow houses...with clues. Character, Interest, Delight...wow factor. a reprise of earlier thoughts with a real tale Whither fashion...Some thoughts about the sale of a tired classic design, and the ability to see beyond fashion The Small House...Its Architecture and Surroundings...some thoughts about an early twentieth Century book, written by an Arts and Crafts architect, but very valid for today. The Artistic House...A book review, with reference to Tips from one of the UK's most successful Arts and Crafts architects. The Place of Houses...another review of an American House design team complete with extensive check-list. Solutions for Making small houses feel big...a further analysis of Frank Lloyd Wrights thinking. well illustrated with plans. The Sensual Home. Some thoughts about Ilse Crawford's coffee table work on the impact of a home on our senses. ever since she has contributed to a US TV show the book now retails for over £100...good luck tracking that down...time for reprint I feel! How about a garden to be proud of...My thoughts, along with colleagues, from my spell of teaching architecture. How and Where to start design...as above and self-explanatory Listing of words and descriptions (and their opposites)...used as a teaching method for 'lost' design students. Spatial Excitement...Based on A fully developed response to a question on another forum. Brief and site analysis...the 'must do' part of the design process, and the reason why pre-made plans and plan books are, IMHO, pretty pointless Above is a brief resume of just a few reviews, reiterated blogs and thoughts from teaching days on approach design...its all frustrating sometimes, but great fun. Some readers will know this already. For more info contact Jamie on lofthousestudio@hotmail.com

Over the last week the House Builder's Bible has lived up to its title, now I am looking for the next revelation. The HBB has helped me understand the main building techniques available, it is excellent for material selection and budgets. However I now need to understand the workflow of house building such as should a hallway block wall be plastered before or after the stairs is fitted, can an inner block 2-story wall be taken up to roof level before posi-joists are fitted, do stud wall frames get fixed to roof joists before bedroom ceilings are screwed in place. I could plague this forum with a load of rookie questions but my preference would be to read a book which complements the House Builder's Bible. Any recommendations for such a book? I don't need a book that covers plot search or the big-vision inspirational side of architecture. My mind is now focused on the site management, build workflow and sequencing. My Amazon research has led to these books. Building Construction Handbook Paperback. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Construction-Handbook-Roy-Chudley/dp/113890709X Haynes - Home Extension Manual https://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Extension-Manual-Step-Step/dp/0857338161 The Self-Builder's Guide To The Construction Phase Not sure about this one, the contents section looks good but the typesetting is amateurish and has the feel of self publishing. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-Builders-Guide-Construction-Phase/dp/0993406424/

Aye, the subtitle of a book, that inspires me, by Diane Maddex called "Wright Sized Houses". Published in 2003 (about £20 on ABEbooks), this is a dissection of some of Frank Lloyd Wright's house designs over six decades. He lived from 1867 to 1959. As the title implies, he shows how, amongst his big houses on huge spreads in the States, his tenets apply equally to small houses on conceivably restricted sites. Commenting on FLW's attitudes to entrances Ms Maddex writes "...You couldn't tell where the architecture leaves off and the garden begins". She writes "Front Doors of FLW houses do not usually call out to visitors, who are gently taken in hand on a little voyage of discovery...The Architect makes us work hard to uncover his grand scheme" (Ha, romantic stuff eh?)...This is an attitude (however) espoused by Arthur Martin, Chris Alexander, Baillie Scott, Peter Blundell-Jones and others mentioned in former blogs and blogs to come...intriguing stuff! The book generally takes a cross-referenced page a theme, with some plans and excellent illustrations. Some of the themes are 'open plans, 'human scale', 'built-ins', private spaces', 'outdoor rooms', 'natural materials', 'entrances', 'walls and screens' (interior) etc etc. Altogether I thoroughly recommend this interesting design book which forms yet another useful check-list, reminder and inspiration to add character to your home.