Basics Building Construction grounds architectural students in the structural logic and material behaviour of masonry and timber — two building materials whose rules, when truly understood, open the way to construction thinking beyond industry-standard solutions.
About This Book
Masonry and timber are among the oldest building materials in the architectural canon, yet their principles are routinely underserved in design education. This volume addresses that gap directly, presenting the characteristics, construction systems, and practical applications of both materials with clarity and rigour. Structured for students who are building their technical foundation, it moves from material properties through to construction logic — equipping readers not just to replicate standardised solutions, but to interrogate and extend them. For anyone serious about architectural construction and building technology, this is an essential reference at the drawing board and in the studio.
Key Features
- 400 pages of structured technical instruction covering masonry and timber construction systems
- Authored by Andreas Achilles, Katrin Hanses, Nils Kummer, Diane Navratil, and Ludwig Steiger
- Published by Birkhäuser, ISBN 9783035603729
What You'll Discover
- The defining material characteristics of masonry and timber, and how those properties shape structural and constructive decisions
- The most common construction systems for each material, presented with their governing rules and typical applications
- How to read and reason about building construction rather than simply selecting from a manufacturer's catalogue
- A framework for developing creative construction solutions that extend beyond the standardised options offered by the construction industry
About the Author
This volume is co-authored by Andreas Achilles, Katrin Hanses, Nils Kummer, Diane Navratil, and Ludwig Steiger. [Details available upon request]
Specifications
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 400
- Dimensions: 218 × 156 mm
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9783035603729
- Publisher: Birkhäuser
- Publication Date: [Details available upon request]
Perfect For: Architecture students building their technical foundation, educators teaching building construction and materials, and early-career practitioners seeking a clear reference on timber and masonry systems.