Houses That Can Save the World

An inspirational sourcebook of innovative and unexpected green design solutions for our homes that address the environmental and social issues facing our world today

Featuring nineteen home-building and design strategies that are direct, original and often surprisingly simple, this inspirational sourcebook presents a mix of new technology and time-tested vernacular methods that will change the way we think about ‘home’. With strategies and houses that span the globe, including developing regions in Asia, Africa and South America, the book shines a spotlight on everything from wholly new techniques to creative reuse of existing buildings and materials.

Nothing short of a design revolution is underway as we confront climate change, polluting plastics, global migration, rapidly expanding cities and an ageing population. Part handbook, part manifesto, Houses that Can Save the World shows how architects, designers, engineers, self-builders, artists and others are embracing the new challenges the human race is facing.

Whether you are planning a self-build or are simply looking for ways to make your home more environmentally friendly and efficient, this book is packed with innovative ideas that can help us to make our homes and the world a better place to be.

Contents List:

Introduction
1. Adapt
2. Assimilate
3. Breathe
4. Burrow
5. Collaborate
6. Democratize
7. Dig
8. Empathize
9. Feel
10. Fill
11. Float
12. Grow
13. Harvest
14. Preserve
15. Print
16. Reuse
17. Revisit
18. Rise
19. Transform
20. Weave

About the Authors:

Courtenay Smith is a freelance curator of contemporary art and design whose international exhibitions include ‘Shanghai Surprise’ and the exhibitions and accompanying books for Lucy Orta: Body Architecture and Xtreme Houses. She has held numerous curatorial positions in museums and galleries in the United States and Germany. Sean Topham has contributed to various publications, exhibitions and seminars and has written on design for magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, Dwell, the Independent, the Guardian and Icon.