Our love affair with wood began with the dawn of time. No other construction material exudes such warmth and sensuality.

It should come as no surprise then, that the French have adopted this material with elegance, flair and sphistication, designing beautiful timber homes. In Sustainable French Timber Houses the unique French touch is unmistakable - from sprawling, luxurious vilas to miniscule timber cabins.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, wood is very energy efficient, with the ability to retain insulation and conduct heat effectively.

Sustainable French Timber Houses pays tribute not only to this sustainable and beautiful material but also to the ingenuity and style typified as 'French chic'. It endorses the belief that the enduring splendour of natural wood can provide beauty together with utility, transcending its value for years to come.

Content - Foreword, Bidaud Christophe Puys House, Cascio Antonino Quadra House, Colomes Christian House at L'Aube, Cottesse Sonia Kotaniji House, Courtey Cecile - Lab Christophe Chaily-en-Biere House, Daufresne Marc - Le Garrec Ivan House on the Dune, Depresle Francois Mourioux House Saint Catherine Island House, Duplantier Laurent Petit Piquey House Boulart House, Duverger Jean (cabinet Dengler) House in Ille-et-Vilaine, Hondelatte Raphaelle Amcena House, Kohler Brice Marie-Galante House, Levy Victor Katz-Reniers House, Mazellier Thierry Versus House, Vion Philippe Pouligen House, Appendix, Photographic credits and acknowledgments