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A house’s frame is what keeps it from falling down. It is composed of beams that are joined together to form the “bones” of the structure. While a solid frame with a good foundation build can keep a house up for centuries, a faulty frame or weak foundation can bring it tumbling down in no…

Timber framing is a traditional building style that uses large, timber posts and beams to construct an outer frame that supports the entire home. It has many advantages over standard home construction, including quick-raising times, a rustic, antique feel that can’t be matched, and fluid floor designs, since the home is entirely supported by the…

Ranch house plans are classically American house plans that help create a welcoming home. The layout of a ranch house plan emphasizes accessibility and convenience. In smaller countries, where space is more limited, homes tend to be more compact and vertical. The ranch house plan uses a more horizontal design that is perfect for household…

A modular home is unique because it is built in a climate-controlled factory. Building in this way reduces the chances of weather related delays or problems. When coupled with the fact that building supplies are stored in on-site warehouses, it also virtually eliminates the chance that wet materials will be used when building the modular…

Luxury house plans are known for, well, luxury. This typically means lots of square footage including multiple-use living areas, open floor plans, and customized amenities. Luxury house plans can be associated with mansions, but they are far from equivalent. Luxury should be considered less of a style and more of a lifestyle. Luxury house plans…

A number of different architectural styles of buildings and homes have appeared and dominated during various periods of history. These architectural styles have different features and characteristics that set them apart from others.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast experienced an immediate need for inexpensive, easy to construct housing. The infamous FEMA trailers filled that void at first, providing emergency shelter to thousands of persons who found themselves displaced by the storm. However, people were quick to realize these were substandard living environments for victims…

The average American house has doubled in size from a generation ago, but a recent worldwide micro-trend is moving in the other direction — toward serious shrinkage.
These new diminutive domiciles appeal to empty nesters as well as those looking to cut back on their carbon footprints and save money.

  Table of Contents Overview Grades K-4 Grades 5-8 Grades 9-12 When I Grow Up… Overview The world of building and construction, from its tools to its materials to its constantly developing innovations, can serve as a rich learning area for  classrooms and home school environments. And with studies showing that the U.S. lags at all grade…

Energy prices are high and going higher, and you don’t want a home that drains your wallet during the most basic upkeep. Or, perhaps, you’ve decided that regardless of energy costs, you want a home that conserves rather than over-consumes. A geodesic dome is unmatched in energy efficiency and might be the right thing for…