The Most Beautiful House in the World, (Paperback)

from manatree

Rybczynski is a talented writer who could probably write a captivating book about the sex life of roofing nails. The fact that he writes about architecture is an added bonus.

from jcbrunner

"The most beautiful house in the world is the one you build for yourself" (p. 186). Fortunately for Rybczynski and his fellow architects, this is not true. The difference in financial firepower and professional skill will see to it that most fail to build something as grand as the Taj Mahal. Your...

from heavywinter

A great read (perhaps because I want to do the same sort of thing someday). I thoroughly enjoy first person accounts of personal projects. Maybe because I'm analytical by nature, but I revel in the minutiae, the trials & errors and the highs & lows of achieving your personal goals.

from Asperula

A sweet and fascinating history of an architect's dream of building a shed in which to build a boat, but that evolves into a home. Great discussion on what defines a building's character.