The Woodland House

If you have watched the Grand Designs programmes over the years and saw the building of Ben Law's home in the woods...I'm sure like me that you will have been in awe at the build...a build that has been voted by viewers as the best that has been on Grand Designs...a build that still today Kevin McCloud states is his favourite...With me so far...then this book is for you...it takes you through Ben's build and why he did it...what it was built from...where he got all the stuff from and what the consequences are should he decide to sell his wood and move on...There is also a chapter that covers the extention Ben talks about have planning permission for in the G.D. Revisted programme...pictures throughout from plans...model and on to the build in full...simply this is The Greatest Grand Design Bar None...

A very interesting read, especially for those seeking to live off the grid and one type of job that may be available to you. Great for those wanting to go green like me and live off the grid and see if it is possible.

First of all the book is very poor quality. The pages started to come off on the third day of my reading.I'm planning to build a similar house in Lithuania and I expected Engineer's Calculations and plans to be more clear. I tried to find a meaning of termins/words used in calculation tables online. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find anything. It is rather a story book.

A really interesting book.

Nice book

This book was recommended by my gardener. Very interesting , makes you wish you could do the same. The house looks wonderful but as far as I can gather, can't be sold or passed on and will have to be knocked down. What a waste!

A very informative book which makes great reading.

A much appreciated present

I gave this admirable book four stars with some hesitation because it merited five for the quality of writing and book layout but only three for serving as a helpful guide to do-it-yourself house construction. Readers who feel this rating is unfair will have a point since the writer does not promise a do-it-yourself book.The book relates the successful effort by author Ben Law to create an energy efficient home in the woods. This book has the added value of providing a seven year update, including an addition to accommodate his family's growing size. The pictures, unlike many such books, are large enough to be attractive to view and easily understood. Mr. Law enjoyed the services of many volunteers, and managed them very well, based on the outcome of his house. Mr. Law's meticulous approach to research and planning, followed by careful attention to construction quality is very apparent. As an example of good planning, the book is outstanding.Would-be home house builders are cautioned that the design chosen by Britisher Mr. Law, building in Britain, takes full advantage of his skill and experience in working with round wood in house construction. Round wood house construction is not well accommodated by many building codes and skills that one has acquired in conventional carpentry practice are only partially applicable to round wood construction.

This book fairly clearly shows Mr. Law's processes. The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 is that I feel there could have been more pictures of details. It's a rather thin book, but reasonably good for the price. I recommend it if you intend to build something.

I have 2 of Ben's books and they are fascinating. Full of great information and ideas.