John Wilder

John Wilder writes about homes that live closer to the land and the people who build them.

An architect and lifelong self-builder, John has spent years studying the quiet ingenuity behind alternative housing - from treehouse homes and earth-sheltered buildings to shipping container houses and off-grid retreats. His work explores how thoughtful design can create homes that are practical, beautiful, and deeply connected to their surroundings.

John’s writing blends architectural insight with storytelling drawn from real projects and the people behind them. Readers will find practical ideas alongside the kinds of lessons that only come from muddy boots, late-night design sketches, and the occasional project that didn’t go quite to plan.

Through his books and articles, John hopes to show that building differently is not just possible, but often simpler than people think. With the right ideas and a bit of courage, a home can become more than a building - it can become a way of living.

When he isn’t writing, John can usually be found exploring unusual homes, sketching new designs, or walking through woodland imagining where the next great house might hide among the trees.