With a straightforward A-Z organization, and more photos, drawings, and diagrams than any other illustrated dictionary, this dictionary will be a mainstay on the shelves of anyone involved in the building industry. The wide range of topics makes it the only single volume reference to cover all aspects of design, construction, and related business terminology. A sampling of the categories includes:
- Project management
- Construction process and management
- Design-Build
- Eco-design and green building
- Marketing and presentation
No other illustrated construction dictionary covers design, the coordination between the entire design and project delivery process, and the business aspects of the building industry. In addition, it includes more photos, detailed drawings, and diagrams than any other book on the shelf.
From the Preface
The process of building has been going on since the dawn of humankind, providing shelters for living and various structures for all kinds of human
endeavors. Yet none were ever built in a vacuum. They all had a purpose, a site, a function and a client, whether it was a patron, private benefactor,
public entity, a gathering of worshippers or an entire community.
As architecture evolved over the centuries, building techniques changed and evolved along with it. Architecture and construction were once integrated
functions and architects and builders were often one and the same person. Hence the term master builder was given to some architects. Today, that trend is re-emerging, only the individual has been replaced by a combined team of specialists.
Today the building industry is continuously growing and evolving. New building codes, new materials and products and new techniques for construction have all impacted on a vocabulary that is unique to this industry. You will find all those terms included here in their current usage, including the following:
- Design Build
- Green Design
- Construction Management
The construction process is also steeped in legal and contractual terms, including the relationship between the design and construction documents prepared by the architect. You will find all those contractual terms explained clearly here. This dictionary also builds the ties that link the design side of the equation with the construction side without using technical or archaic terminology.
Another aspect of the construction industry today is the growing number of restoration, renovation and adaptive-use projects. Terminology for these types of projects is included along with legal terms relating to property development and construction contracts.
The result is a ready reference of authoritative information, of broad scope and written with simplicity and clarity. It addresses the day-to-day working
situations, while the illustrations depict on-the-job applications. This allows you to see the process at a glance and gain a better understanding of the entire building and construction process.
From the Introduction
The typical function of a dictionary is to isolate and define individual elements, and to provide specialized information about them. This architectural dictionary carries that function to another level, by illustrating many of the definitions with photographs of the elements in their location within the structures.
The photographs in this book were selected from building sites around the world. Some examples are well known, while others are shown to provide
a clear illustration of the definition. No attempt was made to identify the building type, location, date, architect or contractor in any of the
definitions.
The terms have all been selected to provide a broad-based reference of architectural and construction terms for architects, engineers, contractors,
construction managers, real estate firms, students and homeowners involved in construction or renovation projects.
Construction progress documentation is an extremely difficult process, not only from a personal safety angle, with insurance policies that prohibit on-site visits plus security issues against taking photographs of structures under construction, but it's also a quickly moving target. As buildings are put together, the skeleton is gradually covered up by layer after layer of materials, until the finished edifice stands ready for occupancy and is no
longer a construction site.
In this entire process, there are many conditions that are impossible to photograph, so you will find many architectural plans and details illustrating
these items wherever possible. The combination of photographs and details will give you the best possible understanding of the definitions included in the
book.
Contents
Administration (business policies and procedures; agreements). Areas (room attributes of all building types). Building Components (substructure; superstructure; walls, roof, windows, doors). Building Failures (causes and remedies). Building Systems (mechanical; electrical; elevators; fire protection; life safety). Building Trades (carpentry; drywall; electrical; masonry; glazing; woodworking). Building Types (Auditorium through Zoo) Components (typical building parts and systems—isolated as to methods of installation). Construction (foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, etc.). Construction Management (client/GC relationships; procedures). Construction (tools; materials; procedures; business; finance). Contractual Terms (types of project delivery; payments; negotiating). Costs (management; estimates; indexes; GMP [Guaranteed Maximum Price]). Design (services and processes; from site research to construction documents). Design-Build (contractual arrangements; management procedures). Ecological Design and Construction (green buildings; materials; construction methods). Expenses (direct; indirect; salary; staffing). Financing (construction cost estimating; financing). Interior Finishes (doors; windows; trim; cabinets; lighting; painting). Joint Ventures (responsibilities; agreements; partnerships). Legal (contracts; liabilities; licenses; insurance). Marketing (research; collateral; database management; proposals; presentations). Materials (concrete; brick; masonry; stone; steel; fabric; plastics; wood). Project Delivery (project management methods and procedures). Renovations/Remodeling (materials and specialized procedures). Restorative Technology (cleaning; repairing; replicating; restoring). Reports (field; financial; progress; project status; site analysis). Scheduling (production of drawings and specifications; construction phasing). Site Development (master planning; utilities; site preparation). Specifications (building codes; construction documents; masterspec). Subcontractors (outline of functions of all related building trades and procedures). Technology (new high-tech materials and methods of construction). Training (architectural and construction job positions). Web (internet and intranets; project-specific web sites). Zoning (building codes and ordinances)
About the Author
Ernest Burden (New York, NY) is the author of many noted books on architectural drawings and presentation, including McGraw-Hill's Entourage, Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture, and Illustrated Dictionary of Architectural Preservation. Mr Burden is an architect and marketing communications consultant, and a popular lecturer. |
