Builders of the Pacific Coast (The Shelter Library of Building Books)

Meet the DIY builders of the Pacific Coast, whose homes are practical, imaginative, and environmentally friendly.

If you’re fascinated by homes and architecture or if you’re seeking inspiration for your own DIY building project, then you have something in common with Lloyd Kahn. In 2004, he discovered a group of unique carpenters along the Pacific Coast of North America. Over a two-year period, he made multiple trips up the coast, shooting photographs and interviewing builders. The result of his efforts was Builders of the Pacific Coast, a spotlight on nearly 50 amazing builders and structures between San Francisco, California, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Every featured building is rich in culture, innovative design, and artistic creativity.

Three builders in particular are prominently featured: Lloyd House, master craftsman and designer, who created a series of unique homes on a small island; Bruno Atkey, builder of numerous houses and lodges made from hand-split cedar; and SunRay Kelley, barefoot builder tuned into nature, who designed and built wildly imaginative structures. In addition, you’ll see working homesteads, sculptural buildings of driftwood, homes that are beautiful and practical, live-aboard boats, caravans, and examples of stunning architectural design—all in an incomparable full-color book with coffee-table appeal.

Inside you’ll find:

• images of builders and their creations along the Pacific Coast of North America
• Stunning designs and innovative structures
• Fine craftsmanship with local materials
• Form plus function

A continuation of Lloyd’s journeys into the creative processes of owner-built homes, this book explores unique techniques, use of sustainable materials, and essential dedication to natural elements. With more than 1,000 stunning photographs, as well as detailed drawings of the homes, this collection creates a template for a future filled with forward-thinking architecture.

I started building almost 50 years ago, and have lived in a self-built home ever since. If I'd been able to buy a wonderful old good‑feeling house, I might have never started building. But it was always cheaper to build than to buy, and by building myself, I could design what I wanted and use materials I wanted to live with.

I set off to learn the art of building in 1960. I liked the whole process immensely. Hammering nails. Framing -- delineating space. Nailing down the sub-floor, the roof decking. It's a thrill when you first step on the floor you've just created.

Ideally I'd have worked with a master carpenter long enough to learn the basics, but there was never time. I learned from friends and books and by blundering my way into a process that required a certain amount of competence. My perspective was that of a novice, a homeowner -- rather than a pro. As I learned, I felt that I could tell others how to build, or at least get them started on the path to creating their own homes.

Through the years I've personally gone from post and beam to geodesic domes to stud frame construction. It's been a constant learning process, and this has led me into investigating many methods of construction -- I'm interested in them all. For five years, the late '60s to early '70s, I built geodesic domes. I got into being a publisher by producing Domebook One in 1970 and Domebook 2 in 1971. I then gave up on domes (as homes) and published our namesake Shelter in 1973. We've published books on a variety of subjects over the years, and returned to our roots with Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter in 2004, and The Barefoot Architect in 2008.

Building is my favorite subject. Even in this day and age, building a house with your own hands can save you a ton of money (I've never had a mortgage) and -- if you follow it through -- you can get what you want in a home.