Bill Steen, Athena Steen, Eiko Komatsu, Photos by Yoshio Komatsu
This book is a massive collection of hand-built homes and buildings from the around the world. Loosely grouped by material and use, the photos and brief text show a world of housing totally unlike anything we see in the US. Using common and available materials, even the poorest of families make unique and beautiful living spaces. Structures are built to fit and serve the environment – inverted roofs to catch water, wind-catchers on roofs, low entrances to protect against enemies, floating island to grow vegetables and gigantic pots to store grain. Be sure to check out the Yemeni bathroom built over the top wall of the house. Everything evaporates before it hits the ground!