The Art of Building a Home: A collection of lectures and illustrations

In this thoughtful collection of lectures, two early‑twentieth‑century architects lay out a fresh way of thinking about home building. Drawing on years of practice and a series of articles that have long been requested, they combine clear argument with vivid sketches and photographs that bring each point to life. Listeners are invited to step back from the traditions that dictate façade and ornament, only to ask what a house truly needs to serve its occupants.

The speakers argue that most homes are shaped first by neighbours’ expectations and fashionable conventions, only later by the actual requirements of the people who will live there. By exposing the hidden mechanics of doors, hinges and fire‑places, they reveal how decorative excess often masks functional waste. Their vision champions honest materials, purposeful placement, and a design that marries convenience with beauty, offering a timeless guide for anyone who wishes to create a dwelling that feels both personal and efficient.