The New Sustainable House

A showcase from across the globe of 25 houses offering creative solutions for planet-friendly home design.

Designing with the environment in mind is not 'new'. What is new is the increasing number of ways houses can be more sustainably built. With a fresh focus on design ingenuity, new technologies and materials, The New Sustainable House demonstrates that there is more to ecologically motivated construction than solar panels and water tanks.

From a mud-brick single-storey box built in the Texas desert to an all-timber Swedish cabin that is completely petrochemical-free, what unites this diverse collection of houses is the shared motivation of the architects and clients to do as little damage as possible to the planet, without compromising on comfort or aesthetics. This compelling survey shows that the environmental impact of every home, no matter the size or location, can be greatly reduced with creative and responsible design.

About the Author

Penny Craswell is a Sydney-based editor, writer and curator who specialises in design, craft, architecture and interiors. She is the former Editor of Artichoke magazine, Deputy Editor of Indesign magazine and Creative Strategy Associate at the Australian Design Centre, and has been published widely in design periodicals, books and online media around the world. She also writes a blog called The Design Writer. Thames & Hudson published her book Reclaimed in 2023.