This book presents the main works of an Australian architect Richard Leplastrier, the third recipient of the international Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award, showing in particular how he uses wood in his architecture. The nine projects featured in the book date from 1974 until 2000, and are all situated in Australia. The featured projects are: private houses and studios Lovett Bay House, Palm Garden House, Bellingen House and Studio, Tom Uren House, Rainforest House, Cloudy Bay Retreat, Watson's Bay House, Blue Mountains House and Studio and Leplastrier's boat Dorothy. Leplastrier's architecture produces spaces at ease and at rest with themselves and within themselves. They may suddenly open up and become new spaces with new borders, qualities and contents, yet equally at ease and complete. It is a matter of balance, of reciprocity and of respect. On his mainly one-man trail in architecture he has deeply revered the Australian aboriginal culture base, and has a profound respect for all living matter. (Gunnel Adlercreutz, Chairmann of the Jury). Text; English.