The Green Self-Build Book Review
Want to reduce running costs, create less waste and increase the comfort of your home? Building green is the way forward, according to author Jon Broome.
His guide on how to build and design your own home is an informative read – packed full of practical advice for any novice self-builder.
Jon Broome, an architect and self-builder, specialises in sustainable design. He has worked with radical German architect Walter Segal and many self-builders from different backgrounds.
Even better, he built his own low-energy house in Forest Hill, South London in 1998 using timber poles and locally sourced materials. He retells his self-building story, with no details spared.
He constructed his house in two years, building it around a couple of dozen Douglas fir trunks. His experiences give the book real clout as he examines first-hand the essential elements of the self-build process and methods of sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques.
He has worked on projects for clients such as housing associations creating award-winning, innovative and energy-efficient homes. He has also designed a number of one-off eco-homes around the country.
What we particularly love about this book are the inspirational case studies – it’s peppered with real-life experiences and plenty of easy-to-follow advice. It’s those genuine stories which capture the highs and lows of self-building. From the three-bedroom eco timber constructed home in Basildon to the West London dwelling built in a conservation area using steel framing – there’s an avalanche of inspiration for wannabe eco self-builders.
You can find The Green Self-Build Book: How to Design and Build Your Own Eco-Home on Amazon.
Photo credits: Taran Wilkhu, Nigel Corrie.
