Understanding Buildings: A Multidisciplinary Approach - Softcover

E. Reid

Softcover

ISBN 10: 086095725X ISBN 13: 9780860957256

Publisher: Construction P., 1984

Synopsis

This book meets the needs for a basic, yet comprehensive and up-to-date, introductory text to building technology for students in architecture and the other disciplines in building design. The wide coverage is organised under the chapter headings: structure, enclosure, climate services, utility services, lighting, acoustics, fire safety, the future? The treatment in each case is concentrated on the close relationship between good design practice and the basic underlying scientific and practical principles, but stopping short of the high level theory which is to be found in other more closely specialised texts.This well illustrated and highly readable book will be invaluable to the student and of interest to the practitioner too, both in architecture and in its related technical fields.

About this title

About the Author

James V. Stone is a Reader in the Psychology Department at the University of Sheffield, England and the author of Independent Component Analysis (MIT Press, 2004).

Review

A most useful tool for developing intuition in architectural engineering for architects, engineers, and builders alike.

(Omer Akin, Carnegie Mellon University)

In the preface to this book Reid provides an excellent promises for such a text -- 'over-emphasing technology in design is impoverishing, but deying it its sensible place is equally so. Properly understood the physical 'constraints' are of course not only constraints but also inputs.'

(John P. eberhard, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council)

Understanding Buildings by Esmond Reid is a welcome new textbook for undergraduates interested in building technology. It is particularly welcome because it covers in a direct way each of the major technological issues that are important in the design of buildings, including structure, enclosure, climate and utility services, lighting acoustics and fire safety. Covering all of these topics in a readable way in a single book is no easy task, but Esmond Reid has done so successfully. I highly recommend the book.

(Professor Daniel L. Schodek, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University)

A remarkably clear and well-balanced presentation of building construction and environment principles, matched with well-chosen examples at more detailed levels and illustrated with a welcome and consistent graphic clarity. A comprehensive introductory text and reference primer emphasizing how multi-disciplinary design decisions emerge from a recognition of technical restraints and possibilities.

(Robertson Ward, Jr., FAIA, Laboratory of Architecture and Planning, MIT)

Edition details

• Publisher: Construction P.
• Publication date: 1984
• ISBN 10: 086095725X
• ISBN 13: 9780860957256
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224