History of Building Construction
Building construction is an eternal human activity. It developed with the wholly practical need for a controlled environment to moderate the effects of climate. Constructed shelters were one means by which human beings were able to adapt themselves to the great variety of weather conditions and become a global species.
Human abodes were at first very simple and perhaps lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even semi-permanent structures evolved into such highly refined forms as the igloo. Over time more durable structures began to appear, particularly after the advent of farming, when people began to remain in one place for long periods. The early structures, but later other functions, such as food storage and ceremony, were placed in other structures. Some buildings began to have symbolic as well as functional value, marking the start of the distinction between architecture and building.
The history of building is marked by several trends. One is the increasing durability of the materials used. Early construction materials were flimsy, such as leaves, branches, and animal hides. Later, more durable natural materials—eg clay, stone, and timber—and, finally, synthetic materials—such as brick, concrete, metals, and plastics—were used. Another is the desire for structures of ever greater height and span; this was made possible by the development of stronger materials and by knowledge of how materials behave and how to exploit them to greater advantage. Another major trend involves the degree of control exercised over the interior environment of buildings: increasingly precise regulation of air temperature, light and sound levels, humidity, odours, air speed, and other elements that affect our comfort has been made possible. Yet another factor is the change in energy available to the building process, starting with human muscle power and moving toward the powerful machinery used today.
The present state of home construction is complex. There is a wide range of building products and systems which are aimed specifically at classes of building types or markets. The design process for buildings is very well organised and calls upon research establishments which study material properties and performance, code officials who develop and enforce safety standards, and design professionals who determine user needs and design a building to meet those needs. The construction process is also highly organised; it includes the manufacturers of building products and systems, the craftsmen who assemble them on the building site, the contractors who hire and coordinate the work of the craftsmen, and consultants who have expertise in such aspects as building management, quality control, and insurance.
Building construction today is an important part of modern culture, a product of its range and complexity and a measure of its control of natural forces, which can produce a widely varied built environment to serve the diverse needs of society. This article first outlines the history of building construction, then looks at its development at the present time.
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