Good Houses brings together the design process, building science, and the environmental systems that can be used by both teachers and students in teaching and learning about designing good, ‘responsible’ houses. The book approaches housing design holistically by taking its environment as the starting point, integrating design processes more closely with architectural science and environmental systems.

Any building design can only be successful if these two aspects, among others, are considered as early as possible in the design process and inform the designer throughout the design process. The book does not provide prescriptions or definitive answers on what is the ‘best’ way to design a house. Instead, it aims to provide a structured way of what to consider at the different stages of the design process and the potential implications of the decisions made throughout this process. It aligns sustainable design principles with the stages in the design process and provides guidance on how these can be connected.

Using international examples to illustrate the concepts from a wide range of climatic conditions, the book is illustrated in full colour with plans, sections, diagrams and photographs. It is essential reading for those designing residential projects.