Resources
Design Intelligence: Advice from 40 Years of Practice
Murray has spent his career not just designing homes but studying the principles that make them work. He believes that when a homeowner understands the ‘why’ behind a design, the ‘how’ of building becomes much clearer.
Below is a collection of articles and resources Murray has authored to help you navigate your project. These pieces draw on four decades of problem-solving—tackling everything from difficult building sites to the complex psychology of how we use our living spaces. Whether you are building with stone, glass, timber, or steel, these insights are designed to help you make smarter, more informed decisions.”
ON DESIGN:
Designing a Better Log Home
While the examples in this book are drawn from forty years of log and timber architecture, the principles within it are universal. ON DESIGN is not a manual on how to build a cabin; it is a deep dive into the architectural logic that makes any custom home successful.
In this book, Murray Arnott pulls back the curtain on the design process, explaining how to master the hidden elements of a great home:
- Site Orientation: How to harmonize a structure with its landscape and natural light.
- Spatial Volume: Understanding how height and flow affect the way we feel in a room.
- The Psychology of Space: Designing for the way people live, not just for looks.
Whether you are planning a modern waterfront estate, a mountain retreat, or a conventional family residence, these chapters provide the foundational knowledge you need to be an informed partner in your own design journey.
Articles
Expert Guidance for Your Design Journey.
A successful project is built on a foundation of clear information. Murray has written the following articles to share the ‘builder-informed’ perspective he has gained over 40 years in the industry. These pieces go beyond aesthetics to explore the practical logic, technical challenges, and strategic decisions that define a high-quality home. Although many of them were written when he was the Design Columnist for Log Home Living Magazine, the principles in them apply to all building types.
Whether you are navigating the early stages of site planning or refining the fine details of your interior flow, these insights are designed to help you avoid common pitfalls and maximize the potential of your investment.
"For a comprehensive exploration of these principles, including deep dives into spatial volume and site orientation, refer to the book, ON DESIGN."
- Into the Unknown, The Voyage of Creative Risk: A different approach to design
- Choosing Your Building Site: Factors to consider
- Selection Process: The hows and whys of choosing an architect
- Working With a Designer: Advice for a successful partnership
- Steps to a Successful Design: Optimizing the design process
- Visualizing Your Home: The importance of visualization in design
- Floor Planning Basics: Getting started
- Building Character: 10 ways to ensure your dream home really is a dream
- Special Effects: The connection between your log package and design decisions
- Maximizing Space in a Smaller Home: 10 ways to live large in close quarters
- A Room for All Seasons: The benefits of multipurpose rooms
- Planning the Perfect Bath: Suggestions and considerations for bathroom planning
- Welcomed by Design: How to create a well-planned bed and breakfast
- Activity Rooms: Design which leaves space for the fun things in your life
- Universally Speaking: Making kitchens and bathrooms accessible for all
- Just Add Water: How to incorporate water into your home
- Hearths: 15 ways to make the most of your new fireplace
- Beyond The Norm: Hearth considerations
- Under the Roof: Techniques for building needed space into 2nd floor living areas
- Bringing Cathedral Ceilings Down to Size: Adding interest & intimacy to vaulted spaces
- Warm by Design: Ways to keep your home comfortable, no matter how cold the season
- Senses and Sensibility: Factors to consider when placing windows and doors
- Lighting Your Way: Lighting ideas for all rooms in your home
- Designing a Great Garage: Considerations for good-looking & functional garage design
- Saving Face: How to decide if your log home needs a makeover
- Plans and Working Drawings: Descriptions and examples of both