Iano's backfill

Fundamentals of Building Construction, 5th Edition

Authors Edward Allen and Joseph Iano are pleased to announce the release of Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials and Methods, Fifth Edition.

Thoroughly revised, this new edition of Fundamentals provides the most up-to-date survey available from any source of the materials and methods used in modern building construction. Using the latest building codes, standards, and developments in materials and technologies as its basis, this book covers the complete range of construction activities—from excavating and foundations to cladding and interior finishes—and examines common construction systems such as light wood frame, masonry, steel, and reinforced concrete.

The Fifth Edition adds a host of updated and completely new information on such current topics as:

• The role of the construction contractor in the process of making buildings
• Construction management and methods of project delivery
• Controlling the movement of heat, air and moisture through the building enclosure
• Pre-engineered building components
• Sustainability and green building techniques
• Innovations in glass, concrete, wood and other construction materials
• The 2006 International Building and Residential Codes, 2004 MasterFormat, and the latest ASTM references, and LEED standards

Supplemented by Exercises in Building Construction 5E, available separately, Fundamentals of Building Construction, Fifth Edition lays the foundation every architect and builder needs to build a successful career.

The Architect's Studio Companion, Fourth Edition

This author recently completed the manuscript for the upcoming fourth edition of The Architect's Studio Companion. Coauthored with Edward Allen, the mission of the text is to provide guidelines for the configuration of building systems during early design. The book concentrates on systems that impact the form or organization of a building, such as structure, mechanical systems, building code height and area constraints, and more. Using the information provided, designers can quickly approximate the size and layout of various building systems, allowing the impact of these systems to be incorporated at the earliest possible stages of design. Highlights of the upcoming new edition include the following.

Designing the Structure

• New guidelines for the selection of common structural systems have been added.
• Guidelines for the design of highrise building systems have been updated.
• Charts for the preliminary sizing of columns and walls of various structural materials been improved and updated.

Designing Spaces for Mechanical and Electrical Services

• Guidelines for the selection of elevator systems have been updated.
• Information on the newest, machine room-less or compact machine room electric traction elevator systems has been added.

Designing Parking

• This all-new chapter provides guidelines on the sizing and configuration of at-grade and structured parking facilities. With the information provided, the designer can quickly approximate the size and capacity of any parking facility. In the case of structured parking, the facility's circulation system, height, choice of structural system, and layout of structural elements can also be determined.

Designing With the Building Codes

• Building code information throughout the text has been updated to reflect the latest North American model building codes (International Building Code 2006 and National Building Code of Canada 2005).
• Information on design for accessibility has been significantly expanded and updated.
• Information on building egress systems has been expanded and reorganized for easier reference.
• Information on the selection of construction systems, and height and area limits for buildings has been completely updated to reflect the latest model building code requirements.

Edward Allen to Receive Topaz Award

Teacher-Author-Mentor Edward Allen, FAIA, to Receive Topaz Medallion (AIArchitect, 12/2004) reports that Fundamentals of Building Construction coauthor Edward Allen has been selected to receive the prestigious Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education.

This award is given by the AIA to "an individual who has made outstanding contributions to architecture education for at least 10 years and whose teaching has influenced a broad range of students and shaped the minds of those who will shape our environment." Allen is being recognized for long-standing efforts and influence as an educator, author of architectural references, and mentor of a younger generation of architectural professionals.

Building Wisdom--How and Why?

EDITORIAL
In Building Wisdom, Architecture Record 12.03, editor Robert Ivy, FAIA asks, in the light of various natural and human disasters, "How can we build more safely?" His answer: a return to common sense and practical experience as the most important ingredients in educating young architects.

In this author's opinion, what sounds like a good idea on the surface, takes several strange twists in this editorial. First, Ivy seems to claim that it is the schools that are providing needed practical experience to students, while professional firms are dropping the ball:

Schools of architect have already established programs that allow students to wield a hammer on actual projects. On graduation, however, the hammering stops."

This author's experience as an architect and teacher does not agree with Ivy's claim that the practical aspects of the profession are primarily learned in architecture school.

Secondly, the premise of this article seems to be that the need for practical experience is driven by the troubled times in which we live. Is the implication then that when times are good, building wisdom is not so important? I think not.

Do you have an opinion? If so, post a comment using the link below.