When architect Peter Cowman dreamed up his groundbreaking 'Be Your Own Architect' concept he quickly discovered that his university education had neglected to teach him the rudiments of house design! Realising that people had always practiced a 'vernacular' architecture he set out to revive this tradition.

Vernacular styles of building are characterised by their simplicity, by their use of local materials and by the ease with which they can be constructed. The knowledge required for their creation was long regarded as being common knowledge and freely available to all.

Information on how to create vernacular architecture has been forgotten due to the oral nature of the tradition! While there are many books which detail aspects of house design, instruction on how to utilise this wealth of information is virtually non-existent.

In this innovative and supremely practical Manual Peter Cowman articulates what can only be described as the secrets of vernacular architecture, or, as he calls it, 'sheltermaking'.

With its emphasis on the positive, the practical and the affordable The Sheltermaker's Manual articulates a proven design methodology for the creation of versatile and meaningful designs suited to the modern world, information which can be applied both to new as well as to existing buildings - in whatever part of the world one happens to live.