How did an artist with no architectural experience get the inspiration and confidence to design and build a five-story spiral house made of stone? Can a home designed as sacred architecture be a comfortable place to live in the 21st century? And most importantly, how does living in a sacred space support one’s path to awakening?

This is the story of artist Tom Gottsleben and his wife, Patty Livingston. In three voices — his, hers, and theirs — the book tells the story of Tom’s years exploring stone sculpture and landscaping walls, his lifelong spiritual practice, his accidental discovery of sacred geometry, and how Patty’s pragmatic nature grounded the project in the practicalities of a comfortable home.

Along the way, there is loss and rebirth, intuition and revelation, and a fresh way to understand sacred geometry and its relevance to our lives today.

Although this is the personal story of one couple’s journey and their beautiful home and joyful approach to life, its purpose is to attune readers to seeing and creating sacred space in their own lives.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs of the house, gardens, and sculpture, the book is informative, poetic, and inspirational.

317 pages, 2 gatefolds, 10.5 x 10.5", Jacketed hardcover 
508 four-color images and diagrams 

What people are saying

“Carved from bluestone and immersed in light, the Spiral House is a powerful example of sacred architecture. Seeing and being in it mirrors the ascendance of our own essence. Both the house and the book take you on an inspiring journey up to the sky.”

— A.T. Mann, author of Sacred Architecture and 
Sacred Landscapes: The Threshold Between Worlds


“The Spiral House is a fresh and detailed look at how art and architecture can lead us to experience the sacred. Like the house at the heart of the story, the book is stunningly beautiful and inspiring.”

— Elizabeth Lesser, co-founder of Omega Institute, and
author of Marrow and the New York Times best-selling Broken Open

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Plant Based Recipes from the Spiral House Kitchen


Throughout the building of the Spiral House, and ever since, the crew has gathered together to share a midday meal. When professional chef Diane Hagedorn began creating those meals, lunch jumped to a whole new level. Home-made nut cheeses. Wild Rice Soup. Spinach and Strawberry Salad. Cauliflower, Red Lentil, and Rhubarb Dahl. Smokey Beet Sliders. Quinoa Mushroom Risotto Cakes. Yum! By this time, the crew included artists and writers who produce Tom's exhibition publications, work on the many organic vegetable and flower gardens, and tend to the daily needs of such a large operation. Given the delicious food and the publishing skills of some of the group, perhaps it was inevitable that we would create an all-vegan Spiral House cookbook.

So from our kitchen to yours, we hope you'll enjoy this full-color, 288-page plant-based collection of our dishes. It includes some 140 recipes and 250 photographs of food that is good for you, good for life, and good for the planet.

Among the recipes are those for comfort foods and fancy foods, holiday favorites and ethnic cuisines, savory bites and sweet treats, and dishes made with some of the best new plant-based substitutes for animal products. Most recipes are gluten-free. The book is also about community.

It showcases the combined wisdom of our somewhat eccentric circle about growing and preparing the organic food we share each day, living sustainably, and leading compassionate lives. For Goodness Sake will appeal to anyone who likes delicious food: vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters who want to expand their vegetable repertoire....

What people are saying

“For Goodness Sake is filled with easy, nourishing meals that will fill your table with love and compassion. You'll find delicious versions of classic dishes along with new ideas that quickly become old favorites. Thank you Chef Diane Hagedorn. Bon appétit!”

- Kris Carr, author, Crazy Sexy Kitchen


“For Goodness Sake is a dream come true —simple, whole food ingredients come together quickly with results that satisfy. Creamy broccoli soup? Tom’s Cottage Pie? Blueberry Yum Crumble? YES PLEASE!! For goodness sake, you’ll love this cookbook!”

— Kathy Stevens, Founder, Catskill Animal Sanctuary; author, Where the Blind Horse Sings


“This is a cookbook for everyone! If you’ve ever considered leaving animal products off your plate for health or ethical reasons, this will nourish and enlighten.”

—Jenny Brown, Co-Founder, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary; author, The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals

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