A short story about energy, carbon dioxide and architecture

A green home for Sophie and Henry

A green home for Sophie and Henry

 - Andreas Ernstberger

Exploring and understanding architecture and sustainability

“DETAIL kids – A green home for Sophie and Henry” begins at a primary school age. It aims to give children an awareness of the dual issues of energy and environmental protection and how they are closely related to architecture and construction. Because even today, the construction and maintenance of buildings comprises around 40% of total energy consumption. It contributes to an optimistic vision of the future – while raising society's awareness for responsible environmental behaviour already from a young age. 

Using colourful and humorous drawings, children can learn about the origins of climate change and resource depletion, and how they are connected to our man-made environment: What are the links between energy efficiency and sustainability, and what is the life cycle concept of construction materials about? All by themselves, children will discover that each individual can help contain the “monster” of catastrophic climate change via simple, everyday actions. At the same time, a good example of implementation will also raise their awareness of high quality architecture. Sophie and Henry, the young heroes of the story, lead a brave journey through time across the earth while giving detailed instructions on how to complete simple, practical experiments. With scientific curiosity thus awakened, the whole family will be enthused with the latest developments in architecture and construction, for modern methods energy conservation and for renewable energies.

The book is perfect not just for home use, but also in kindergartens or schools where it can be used as a practical basis for exciting project work on the topic of architecture and the environment, revealing connections between the two that are often overlooked in everyday life...

- What is energy? Where does it come from? Where does it go?
- Environmental protection: Why save energy? What can I do to help?
- Why build sustainably? Where does architecture come from?
- The energy-saving house: How does it work?
- Choosing materials: The life cycle concept
- Find out for yourself what it all means: demonstrative experiments with a ‘wow’ factor

View book in store

  • Paris

    Paris carries its history in its buildings and yet remains a perpetual site of architectural experiment. No other major city negotiates tradition and innovation quite so naturally. The book portrays a generation of architects – among them established practices such as Moussafir Architectes and Régis Roudil – who are fundamentally rethinking urban space. Large-format photographs, precise plans, and well-researched texts invite readers on an architectural tour of the city, presenting a variety of outstanding contemporary buildings that engage with the defining issues of our time: urban density, ecological responsibility, and social diversity. A multilayered picture of a city in transition – between cultural heritage and a visionary future.

  • Housing

    How can we build housing today that is genuinely affordable, socially inclusive, and sustainable? This book presents 33 best-practice projects spanning social housing, lowcost construction, and building renovation, showing how architecture can respond to the pressing challenges of our time with intelligence and responsibility. Detailed drawings at 1:20 scale give precise insights into each construction solution, complemented by floor plans and sections that enable a sound spatial and technical understanding of the buildings. Photographs and texts convey atmosphere, materiality, and architectural quality.

  • Herzog & de Meuron

    This fifth edition of the monograph documents 24 built projects designed by Herzog & de Meuron. It presents the architects’ design intentions, their approach to both traditional and innovative materials, and the technological challenges involved. Texts, photographs, drawings, and illustrations document the buildings and reveal processes and construction details.

  • Manual of Masonry Construction

    The new Manual of Masonry Construction is a fundamental handbook for architects and planners, providing expertise on masonry construction and its technical details. It brings together a wealth of knowledge on classic and contemporary masonry construction, covering topics from production and loadbearing behaviour to building physics, fire protection, and sustainability. The authors address traditional techniques as well as the latest developments in the field.