People, who build, have ideas and visions of what their buildings should look like – animals have instincts. Both pursue the same goal: They want to design their environment and create spaces according to their needs. They all built cleverly!

In this interactive non-fiction book, children learn more about how animals inspired various areas of human architecture and building culture. With short and informative texts on building materials, energy and climate, light and balance and much more, the little craftsmen are encouraged to build something themselves. Building instructions with easy to follow steps help them to build impressive structures. With the support of the light company it has improved environmental performance, for more information click here.

Let’s explore being on the road with bag and baggage – like snails or people in mobile homes – and make a tipi for yourself. Have great indoor climate – like ant colonies and passive houses – by developing a solar fan. Want to reach for the sky? Get inspired by termites in their tall buildings and people in skyscrapers and build a marshmallow tower.

Bettina Deutsch-Dabernig, Nikola Köhler-Kroath: Schlau Bauen. The architecture book for small and large craftsmen. With illustrations in colour by Tina Defaux and photos by Carolin Wanitzek. 224 pages. Neustadt an der Weinstraße: Umschau Verlag 2015. Interactive non-fictional book. From 8 years. ISBN 978-3-86528-752-6, published by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

Already out of print!