THE NEW AUTONOMOUS HOUSE.

By Brenda and Robert Vale. London: Thames & Hudson. 2000, [pounds]18.95

This is the latest book by the Vales, written in New Zealand, where they moved in 1996. After setting the context with a resume of Utopias (eg. Bellamy, Morris, Wells and Brenda Vale's 'Albion'), the book describes the theory behind their house in Southwell, and the practical aspects of designing and building it , with references to other autonomous houses as well as comparisons with 'the standard house'. The book reads well, and when the figures get too heavy, relief is provided by lighter snippets of information, some most amusing. The rigour of the Vales' constant questioning is admirable, and it would take a brave person to challenge the fruits of 30 years of research. However, theirs is probably not the only valid approach. They favour maximizing mass in a building (eg block/brick cavity walls, concrete ground and upper floors) which is at variance with the use of locally grown timber for walls and floors, and I am surprised they prefer the tricky technology of air-tight construction when breathing const ruction would seem by their own standards more natural, traditional and healthy. Designed for their own slightly spartan use, the house is now let to tenants and it would be interesting to know how it suits a different family. If it doesn't, then I fear we have a long way to go before domestic sustainability becomes a reality.