Review: Construction Materials Manual

Construction Materials Manual -- spread

All this is laid out clearly in a non-confusing format. The first section on critical and informative essays provides the reader with an intense understanding and overview of the use of materials in contemporary architecture, the role of the architect in evolving new building materials and using long-forgotten ones and traditional ones in newer ways, the issues regarding sustainability and selection criteria of materials, as well as the experiential and sensory aspects of their use.

These essays are written by internationally renowned authors such as Christian Schittich and Marc Esslinger amongst others, who have contributed substantially to their respective fields over the past years.

After this initial introduction, the book engages the reader in the properties and availability of building materials ranging from mud, ceramics, glass, metal or wood.

This is followed by an exhaustive analysis of the diversity of application of each building material, with respect to their use in the building envelope, insulation, services, walls, floors and surface coatings.

The book concludes with 25 case-studies to illustrate the use and application of the aforementioned materials in recent buildings of various scales and typologies.

The book communicates its contents in a lively, easy-to-read-and-refer manner -- suitably illustrated with tables, charts, graphics, stunning as well as informative photographs and crisp drawings clearly illustrating detailing and joinery.

This book will prove handy for any professional interested in making informed and sensitive choices when it comes to materials.

This is aided by the fact that the book clearly illustrates and importantly, evaluates each material by providing examples of their use and diversity of application, technical performance criteria, sustainability criteria and issues of ecological concern, haptic and experiential aspects, as well as comparative charts to weigh the use of one against the other when it comes to specific applications.

Thanks to Martin Hoffmann, Birkhauser; for communicating with us and providing the book for review.

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Book Details

Title

Construction Materials Manual

Authors

Hegger, Auch-Scwelk, Fuchs, Rosenkranz

Publisher

Birkhauser -- Publishers for Architecture

Year

2006

Format

Hardcover

Dimensions

9.5 x 12 x 1 inches

Content pages

250+

Language

English

ISBN-10

3764375701

ISBN-13

978-3764375706