Illustrated Dictionary of Building Design and Construction

Ernest Burden (New York, NY), Assoc. AIA, is an architect, author and consultant specializing in marketing and project delivery strategies. He is the author of many books on design and presentation, including McGraw-Hill's Entourage: A Tracing File and Color Source Book. He is also the author of three illustrated dictionaries for McGraw-Hill: Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture, Illustrated Dictionary of Architectural Preservation, and Illustrated Dictionary of Building Design and Construction.

• Administration business policies and procedures; agreementsAreas room attributes of all building typesBuilding Components substructure; superstructure; walls, roof, windows, doorsBuilding Failures causes and remediesBuilding Systems mechanical; electrical; elevators; fire protection; life safetyBuilding Trades carpentry; drywall; electrical; masonry; glazing; woodworkingBuilding Types Auditorium through ZooComponents typical building parts and systems – isolated as to methods of installation)Construction foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, etc.Construction Management client/GC relationships; proceduresConstruction tools; materials; procedures; business; financeContractual Terms types of project delivery; payments; negotiatingCosts management; estimates; indexes; GMP [Guaranteed Maximum Price]Design services and processes; from site research to construction documentsDesign-Build contractual arrangements; management proceduresEcological Design and Construction green buildings; materials; construction methodsExpenses direct; indirect; salary; staffingFinancing construction cost estimating; financingInterior Finishes doors; windows; trim; cabinets; lighting; paintingJoint Ventures responsibilities; agreements; partnershipsLegal contracts; liabilities; licenses; insuranceMarketing research; collateral; database management; proposals; presentationsMaterials concrete; brick; masonry; stone; steel; fabric; plastics; woodProject Delivery project management methods and proceduresRenovations/Remodeling materials and specialized proceduresRestorative Technology cleaning; repairing; replicating; restoringReports field; financial; progress; project status; site analysisScheduling production of drawings and specifications; construction phasingSite Development master planning; utilities; site preparationSpecifications building codes; construction documents; masterspecSubcontractors outline of functions of all related building trades and proceduresTechnology new high-tech materials and methods of constructionTraining architectural and construction job positionsWeb internet and intranets; project-specific web sitesZoning building codes and ordinances

Low interest rates have encouraged a prolonged building and renovation boom in many parts of the US. Release of this illustrated building design and construction dictionary, aimed at engineers, architects, technicians, contractors, trades people, real estate firms, students, and homeowners is therefore timely. Burden, author of Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture (CH, Oct'98, 36-0672) and Illustrated Dictionary of Architectural Preservation (CH, Jul'04, 41-6238), offers a dictionary with over 5,000 simple definitions of design, contracting, project management, construction, renovation, eco-design, and adaptive use terms. Entries are carefully cross-referenced, written to be accessible to nonprofessionals, and range in length from 4 to 75 words. The volume includes few acronyms. In construction and architecture, a picture is worth a thousand words; hence more than 1,500 unusually high-quality black-and-white photographs, cropped working drawings, plan, maps, and construction schedules accompany entries where appropriate. This is an excellent ready-reference book for fist-time home buyers. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; undergraduates. -- J.A. Buczynski, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology Choice 20050501