The Construction of Houses, fifth edition
Preface
This is the fifth edition of The Construction of Houses, which was first published in 1990. The book has continually evolved through each edition, but this latest edition has seen, perhaps, the most significant changes in content. For this new edition each chapter has been thoroughly reviewed and new content added where appropriate. Furthermore, the very important issue of sustainability, which has had such a significant effect on the construction of houses, is reflected in the reworked individual chapters of this new edition, and placed in context by a new chapter giving an overview of sustainability. New chapters on ventilation and **********, plus an introductory chapter which sets construction in its wider context and establishes its background, have been added.
Despite these significant changes, the aim remains the same as it did for the first edition: to produce an interesting, up-to-date, and informative introduction to domestic building construction and services which will be of value to all those students and practitioners who work, or intend to work in what is now commonly known as the Built Environment.
The book is aimed not just at those who need to develop a broad understanding of domestic construction as part of their studies; it will also be invaluable to those already in professional practice seeking reference or guidance.
Although much of the content has been updated and new material added for this latest edition, it retains the three main objectives that have helped to shape all the previous editions of the book:
to provide a broad understanding of the principles of house construction
to introduce the reader to current building practice
to explain earlier forms of construction in order to reflect the fact that dwellings built after 1990
account for only about 12% of the housing stock.
This book is not, therefore, a catalogue of modern construction details, but is intended to provide a balance of knowledge and understanding in order to give students and practitioners:
a good foundation for further study
confidence and competence in their dealings with other building professionals or
members of the public the ability to evaluate the mass of authoritative advice and trade literature currently available.
Following on from the contextual material contained in Chapter 1 Introduction and Chapter 2 Sustainability, the chapters are divided up into the key elements of a house (foundations, floors, walls, etc.) with additional chapters on thermal insulation and condensation and on ‘system’ building/modern methods of construction. The chapters covering building services concentrate on providing a broad introduction to the various systems and installations available, rather than a detailed examination of their individual components.
Where possible, each chapter traces the evolution of modern construction, partly because, as we have said, much of the UK’s existing housing stock is old, but also to show that today’s building practice has largely developed through an understanding of yesterday’s failures, or new requirements for how a house fulfils its function.
The first two editions of the book contained short sections on building defects. These have been omitted in the later editions, partly to make way for new material, and partly because our
English -- 2013 -- ISBN: 0415538173 -- 456 pages -- PDF -- 15 MB
The fifth edition of this successful textbook is aimed specifically at those students and practitioners who require a broad understanding of building construction as part of a wider sphere of professional activity.
The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of modern construction and services.
Download
*
Preface
This is the fifth edition of The Construction of Houses, which was first published in 1990. The book has continually evolved through each edition, but this latest edition has seen, perhaps, the most significant changes in content. For this new edition each chapter has been thoroughly reviewed and new content added where appropriate. Furthermore, the very important issue of sustainability, which has had such a significant effect on the construction of houses, is reflected in the reworked individual chapters of this new edition, and placed in context by a new chapter giving an overview of sustainability. New chapters on ventilation and **********, plus an introductory chapter which sets construction in its wider context and establishes its background, have been added.
Despite these significant changes, the aim remains the same as it did for the first edition: to produce an interesting, up-to-date, and informative introduction to domestic building construction and services which will be of value to all those students and practitioners who work, or intend to work in what is now commonly known as the Built Environment.
The book is aimed not just at those who need to develop a broad understanding of domestic construction as part of their studies; it will also be invaluable to those already in professional practice seeking reference or guidance.
Although much of the content has been updated and new material added for this latest edition, it retains the three main objectives that have helped to shape all the previous editions of the book:
to provide a broad understanding of the principles of house construction
to introduce the reader to current building practice
to explain earlier forms of construction in order to reflect the fact that dwellings built after 1990
account for only about 12% of the housing stock.
This book is not, therefore, a catalogue of modern construction details, but is intended to provide a balance of knowledge and understanding in order to give students and practitioners:
a good foundation for further study
confidence and competence in their dealings with other building professionals or
members of the public the ability to evaluate the mass of authoritative advice and trade literature currently available.
Following on from the contextual material contained in Chapter 1 Introduction and Chapter 2 Sustainability, the chapters are divided up into the key elements of a house (foundations, floors, walls, etc.) with additional chapters on thermal insulation and condensation and on ‘system’ building/modern methods of construction. The chapters covering building services concentrate on providing a broad introduction to the various systems and installations available, rather than a detailed examination of their individual components.
Where possible, each chapter traces the evolution of modern construction, partly because, as we have said, much of the UK’s existing housing stock is old, but also to show that today’s building practice has largely developed through an understanding of yesterday’s failures, or new requirements for how a house fulfils its function.
The first two editions of the book contained short sections on building defects. These have been omitted in the later editions, partly to make way for new material, and partly because our
English -- 2013 -- ISBN: 0415538173 -- 456 pages -- PDF -- 15 MB
The fifth edition of this successful textbook is aimed specifically at those students and practitioners who require a broad understanding of building construction as part of a wider sphere of professional activity.
The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of modern construction and services.
Download
*