History of Building Construction
Building construction is an ancient human activity. It began with the purely functional requirement for a controlled environment to cope with the effects of climate. Shelters were one means by which people were able to adapt themselves to the large variety of weather conditions and become a global species.
Human shelters were at first very unsophisticated and probably lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even semi-permanent structures developed into such highly refined forms as the igloo. Over time more stable structures began to arise, particularly after the start of farming, when people began to stay in one place for long periods. The early houses, but eventually other functions, such as food storage and ceremony, were placed in different buildings. Some structures began to have symbolic as well as functional value, marking the start of the distinction between architecture and building.
The history of building is recognised by a number of trends. One is the developing durability of the materials used. Early construction materials were perishable, such as leaves, branches, and animal hides. Later, more hardy natural materials—eg clay, stone, and timber—and, finally, modern materials—such as brick, concrete, metals, and plastics—were used. Another is a quest for buildings of ever greater height and span; this was made possible by the development of stronger materials and by knowledge of how materials act and how to use them to better advantage. Another major trend involves the degree of control placed over the interior environment of buildings: increasingly precise regulation of air temperature, light and sound levels, humidity, odours, air speed, and other factors that affect human comfort has been made possible. Yet another element is the change in energy available to the construction process, starting with human muscle power and developing into the powerful machinery used today.
The current state of home construction is intricate. There is a wide range of building products and systems which are aimed primarily at classes of building types or markets. The design process for buildings is highly organised and draws upon research establishments which study material properties and performance, code officials who adopt and enforce safety standards, and design professionals who determine user needs and design a building to meet those needs. The construction process is also well organised; it includes the manufacturers of building products and systems, the craftsmen who assemble them on the building site, the contractors who employ 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 a significant part of modern culture, a manifestation 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 humans. This article first shows the history of building construction, then looks at its development at the present time.
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