Interior Systems (Building Construction S.) - Hardcover

This book treats a subject that is of interest to a wide range of people with various relationships to the designing and constructing of buildings. There is at any given time a great mass of information on these topics which may be accessed for applica­ tion to the many tasks of designers, builders, suppliers, and others. The enormity of this information resource is at once reassuring to those who regularly encounter needs for it, and overwhelming to just about everyone who needs to figure out how to use it. This book relates the topic of building construction to the basic problems of building design. The basic assumption here is that the need to design precedes the need to build, and that real concern for how to build comes from a desire to build something. This is the normal process of development for designers and others who start from the point of desiring a building and then proceed to determine what it should be. Intense concern for specific consideration of building materials, systems, and details of construction thus emerges at a later stage of design, typically after the general form, size, and essential nature of the building are already proposed.

An reference source for architects, interior designers, and engineers, this volume explains the general development of the building interior, including floors, ceilings, partitions, interior finishes, stairs, atriums, and interior landscaping. Written for piecemeal rather than whole building projects, the volume offers the working professional detailed information on architectural components, materials and elements, and systems. Nine detailed case studies cover a wide variety of building types, and illustrate all topics discussed. Also presented are useful discussions, of design issues and criteria, as well as sources of design information, a comprehensive bibliography, and a glossary of technical terms. This book should be of interest to building designers and construction professionals.