The Way We Build Now

Book excerpt: This book examines the structural and construction design of buildings. The first part presents an overview of materials and structural forms taking the point of view of the designer, architect and engineer. The second part is an extensive examination of over 70 case studies. They have been carefully selected and tightly structured to present a summary of established modern methods of building construction. It contains copious ready-reference charts of design information, numerous photographs and meticulous axonometric drawings. The book is international in scope. Dual units are used throughout (SI and Imperial) and nearly half the case studies are taken from the USA. Cases are also drawn from Canada, Europe, Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong as well as 25 from the UK.