Get your house right
by Marianne Cusato, Ben Pentreath, Richard Sammons, Leon Krier · first published 2007
100% recommend
Even as oversized McMansions continue to elbow their way into tiny lots nationwide, a much different trend has taken shape. This return to traditional architectural principles venerates qualities that once were taken for granted in home design: structural common sense, aesthetics of form, appropriateness to a neighborhood, and even sustainability. Marianne Cusato, creator of the award-winning Katrina Cottages, has authored and illustrated this definitive guide to what makes houses look and feel right—to the eye and to the soul. She teaches us the language and grammar of classical architecture,
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2008–2026The Timeless Way of Building
Christopher Alexander
Recommended by 67 · mentioned by 10367 recommend · 103 mention67 recommend · 10367 recommend
2007–2026A pattern language
Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein, Max Jacobson
Recommended by 110 · mentioned by 226110 recommend · 226 mention110 recommend · 226110 recommend
…this was it's function. Wind pulls air through, which pulls air up into the attic, which cools the first and second floors. Then read The Timeless Way of Building and perhaps A Pattern Language Then Get Your House Right, or a condensed (...in a way) version is Drawing for Architecture by Krier. Hmm there are probably others I cannot recall right now, but those are a great start.
on “Passivhaus Detailing and Design” ↗It's a form of skeuomorphism and it's something that greatly irritates me as well. Unfortunately, it's only one of the many common design atrocities you see in most neighborhoods. Get Your House Right by Marianne Cusato (https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-House-Right-Architectural/dp...) is a really good book that helps you appreciate some of the finer details of architecture in your own home.
on “Fake shutters make me angry (2018)” ↗…this way. * Draw and sketch a huge amount. Sketch facades freeform, with the ruler, etc. The fidgeting will help you discover things. * Read a bunch of books about old houses. Maybe most approachably: Get Your House Right and A Pattern Language * Get a pinterest board for you + spouse. We used ours heavily and it was great for keeping track of interior detail decisions. [1] It's a fundamentally simple house, basically…
on “Unity creates new open source tool for architects” ↗>you should read two books. The first is Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid I own and have read a copy, excellent. Note however that it's entirely oriented toward traditional design: Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Mid-Mod are terra incognita.…
on “Designing a New Old Home: Part 1” ↗