Author(s): Jessica Kellner

Design

Housing is a fundamental human right. For most of human history, our homes were built by hand from whatever local materials were available. However, since the Industrial Revolution, most housing has become little more than quickly constructed, mass-produced, uniform boxes. At the same time, the invention and standardisation of the 30-year mortgage and our ever-increasing reliance on credit has come to mean that most of us never own our homes outright. "Housing Reclaimed" is a call to arms for non-conventional home builders. It examines how technological advances, design evolution and resourceful, out-of-the-box thinking about materials and efficiency can help us meet the challenge of building affordable, environmentally-friendly, beautiful and unique homes. Focusing on the use of salvaged and reclaimed materials, this inspirational volume is packed with case studies of innovative projects including: Phoenix Commotion - working together towards low-income home ownership through sweat equity and 100 per cent recycled materials; HabeRae - revitalising neighbourhoods by creating urban infill using modern technology and sustainable and reclaimed materials; and, Builders of Hope - rescuing and rehabilitating whole houses slated for demolition. These projects and others like them demonstrate that building one's own home does not have to be an unattainable dream. This beautifully illustrated guide is a must-read for anyone interested in creating quality zeroor low-debt housing, reducing landfill waste and creating stronger communities.