This is the ideal guidebook for navigating the often mystifying process of house design and building. It's full of sage advice from a master architect about how to design the perfect house for you. Presented in twelve understandable 'lessons' the book moves from wonderful concepts to a finished dream home. Beginning with an exploration of the philosophy of design, the grammar of architecture, the creation of space, and discussions of how to make spaces be appropriate and gratifying for the people living in them, the 'lessons' explore issues of scale, daylight, how to make a house feel like a home, unifying a design, flow, and proportions. This book answers questions like: how do I get started? How do I select a building site? What kind of house can I afford with my budget? How do I make my dream house just right for me? Other topics include: site analysis and selection, programming, schematic design, style, room relationships, budget, working with professionals, methods of contracting, and more. Numerous color photos and drawings illustrate the book's major points.