.: How to build a House with a Reciprocal Roof

         

It looks like a still from 'Lord of the Rings' but it's not, it's a real home, in Wales.
This incredible hobbit-like house was handmade by a man named Simon Dale.

He'll even tell you how to do it on his website and he makes it sound fun and easy;

"The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings."
'I am not a builder or carpenter, my experience is only having a go at one similar house 2yrs before and a bit of mucking around inbetween. This kind of building is accessible to anyone. My main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverence and a mate or two to give a lift now and again."

"The reciprocal roof is fun and easy to make and ideally suited to round wood construction with a minimum of woodworking and structural complication (It doesn't push outwards on the walls and doesn't require tie beams). It also looks damn fine. Getting your head 'round it can be a bit tricky so i'd recommend having a go with a few small sticks before trying the real thing. To make a reciprocal roof, the first rafter is propped up temporarily (as in picture above). The next rafter is then laid so that it sits on top of the first one. The third is then laid so it sits on the 2nd a little way down from where the 1st & 2nd cross. each rafter sits on another rafter below and has on sitting on top of it. This process continues all the way 'round until the last rafter just slips in underneath the first. The prop is then removed so the first rafter sits on the last one. Finally the rafters are fixed where they cross."

Check out Simon's site here;    A Low Impact Woodland Home