The idea for this book started some years ago as I looked around at building and realized that the houses I responded to most were built by people for themselves. The individuality and personal warmth stood out.Building your own house is a great satisfaction for most people. It's a very tangible accomplishment and also means having something to say about how you live-an alternative in a world that is increasingly remote and impersonal. All the people in these pages were open and enthusiastic about their building and sharing their experiences with us.In the process of making the book there were times I found it difficult to get on with the business of taking pictures and turning on the tape recorder. I wanted to just be with the people and their houses; sit against a wall protected from the wind in the warm sun and savor the uniqueness of that particular person and place.
