Whether you're renovating an existing building, adding an extension to your house, or designing your dream home from scratch, The Whole House Book sets out the ecological options open to you.

From foundations to paint finishes, radical solutions to compromises you can be comfortable with, Cindy Harris and Pat Borer detail everything you need to know to design and construct an ecologically sound, environmentally friendly home, whether you intend to do-it-yourself or contract an architect or builder to work on your behalf.

The reviews said...

This is the perfect antidote to the 'Changing Rooms' generation. Houses that are built not with style and a fast buck as the raison d'etre, but to create a home that is holistic and healthier... Full of photography of dream houses of the ecological type, it is enough to make you start planning right here right now. New Consumer Magazine

The second edition of the WHB looks at the complex relationship between the building and its users, and of course its impact on the local, national and global environment. The entire book is a wealth of information for anybody, not just selfbuilders, and delves into every aspect of the house. SelfBuild and Design Magazine

"This excellent book challenges architects and designers to incorporate sustainable thinking as well as sustainable technologies into their work." Richard Rogers

"Anybody who is thinking of building their own house, or doing substantial work on an existing house, should have this book. All builders, architects and planners should have it too. Those who don't think they would be interested should be encouraged, by stealth if necessary, to take a look at it. The Whole House Book is both inspirational and practical. Each house [described within] is a unique solution to somebody's needs; a place which is not only good for the environment, but for the people who are going to live in it." The Ecology Building Society

"I had a problem putting it down as it holds a wealth of information." The British Institute of Architectural Technologists

"An inspiring and challenging book that should be in every college, school and public library as well as all architect and design practices" The Environment Council

"The ground that the book covers is greater than, say, Harland's Eco-Renovation, is more practical than the Natural House Book and more up-to-date than Shelter. The text is concise, informative and importantly structured to list alternatives in order of ecological (and structural soundness). The accompanying illustrations are carefully chosen, useful and earn their place with respect to illuminating the text." Eco Design

"without parallel... Quite simply, in breadth and depth, no other publication surveys as much ground or delivers as much straightforward advice... a 'must have'" Roddy Fairley, Reforesting Scotland

'Key Read' Regeneration and Renewal Magazine

"an excellent overview of the various possibilities in eco-building..." www.downsizer.net