Facades - they are the first feature of a building to be noticed, they determine its distinctive appearance and are often the subject of controversial debate. This new first edition of the Facade Construction Manual provides a systematic survey of contemporary expertise in the application of new materials and energy- efficient technologies in facade design, and represents an invaluable addition to our series of Construction Manuals. It surveys the facade design requirements made by various types of buildings, as well as the most important materials, from natural stone through to synthetics, and documents a diversity of construction forms for a wide range of building types. Over 100 international case-studies in large-scale, detailed drawings are presented in the comprehensive project section.

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES FOR ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, AND BUILDERS Once an experimental building form, structural glass facades have matured into a fully robust technology. Structural Glass Facades and Enclosures documents, defines, and categorizes the current state of the art in long-span glass facade design and construction, with a focus on structural systems, glass cladding options, and implementation strategies for innovative design. A comparative analysis of these various systems is included, along with designs and design practices for enhancing transparency; engineering issues; material, process, and fabrication considerations; installation means and methods; and project delivery strategies for implementing innovative building technology in today's construction marketplace. The reader will find information here that is not available together in any single resource, including: Structural system types and design options, with integrated glass system options and their application on each of the structural types An in-depth discussion of design, fabrication, and installation issues relative to each system type, accompanied by illustrations and photographs A discussion of the challenges of implementing innovative design and technology in the construction industry, and operational practices to improve the probability of success A series of in-depth case studies documenting representative samples of stunning built works that employ the technology and design principles identified in the book Structural Glass Facades and Enclosures provides expert content for putting cutting-edge technology into real-life practice, creating new potential for fresh applications embracing both aesthetic and performance solutions, and for the adoption of the technology by architects, builders, and facade practitioners.

Building openings provide light, ventilation and climate control for rooms. At the same time, they are essential functional and design elements of facades. This manual offers solid facts on standards and safety features. It covers materials, construction types and specifics of structural connections, incl. solutions on how to deal with existing older windows and issues of ventilation, the use of solar energy and ecological sustainability.

Glass offers a wide variety of possible applications for the realization of even the most ambitious designs in architecture, and in the past two decades it has experienced an unparalleled burst of innovation. For planners, this means working constantly with this high-performance material. In compact and appealing form, the completely revised Glass Construction Manual presents the current state of the art on planning and building with glass, from the history through the technical foundations all the way to the most innovative applications. Astonishing perspectives on thermal insulation and solar protection and the addition of thoughtfully selected new practical examples round off this comprehensive reference work.

A comprehensive guide to the design and execution of sophisticated exterior building enclosures Focused on the design process for architects and related professionals, this book addresses the design and execution of sophisticated exterior building enclosures for a number of commercial building types and in a variety of building materials. It focuses on the design process by delineating enclosure basics, the participants (owners, architects, engineers, consultants) and their roles and responsibilities through collaboration, and tracking the design process through construction. This comprehensive handbook covers all of the factors that affect the design of a building enclosure, including function, visual aesthetics, performance requirements, and many other criteria. In-depth case studies of projects of various scales, types, and climate conditions illustrate the successful implementation of exterior wall enclosure solutions in brick masonry, stone, architectural concrete, glass, and metals. This unique and indispensable guide: Defines the functions, physical requirements, design principles, and types of exterior building enclosures Identifies the participants in the design and construction process and specifies their roles and responsibilities Presents a step-by-step process for the design of exterior enclosures, from defining goals and developing concepts through creating construction documents Reviews the construction process from bidding and negotiation through the paper phase to the "brick and mortar" stage Provides details on the properties of exterior enclosure materials, including structural considerations, weather protection, fire safety, and more Covers a variety of materials, including brick masonry, natural stone masonry, architectural concrete, metal framing and glass, and all-glass enclosures Written by the technical director of the San Francisco office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Exterior Building Enclosures is an indispensable resource for architects, engineers, facade consultants, and green design consultants working on commercial building projects.

Whether it be as translucent sheets, broadly stretched membranes, and inflated foil cushions or in graceful, organic curves, architecture today is utilizing plastics in the most disparate forms and for a wide variety of purposes. Innovative technical developments are constantly improving its material properties; at the same time, there is a growing new awareness of its potential as a construction material. While plastics used to be employed primarily as an inexpensive variant on traditional building materials, they are increasingly regarded in the construction world today as a serious and viable alternative, be it as supporting structures, roofs, facades, or elements of interior design and decoration. Thanks in large part to this inherent self-sufficiency, plastics are currently enjoying an unprecedented surge in popularity, even among the international architectural avant-garde – as multiwall sheets or corrugated, fiber-reinforced panels, or as filling between glass panes. And the new generation of ecological bioplastics also pays tribute to the debate on sustainability, ridding plastics of their lingering reputation as environmental offenders. From the history of plastics and membranes in architecture to their material properties and requirements in construction and design, the Plastics and Membranes Construction Manual cuts to the chase, providing the kind of solid and comprehensive overview of the subject that readers have come to expect from the Im DETAIL series. Selected project examples round off the reference work and make it indispensable for the day-to-day life of the professional planner and for every architecture library.

What constitutes a high-rise building? A high-rise is, in fact, any building with more than 9 storeys and not just those striking skyscrapers which shape modern city skylines. In the past architects who designed such structures used to be the exception but in the last 10 years more and more architectural offices have begun to focus on this type of building. However, the sheer complexity of designing and planning the construction of a high-rise as opposed to other building types requires a wealth of specialized experience and expertise. The High-Rise Manual is the first comprehensive reference work on this subject. All relevant aspects of such an undertaking are examined in detail by some 24 specialist authors. Each step is extensively documented including the initial project planning, the building organisation, the laying of the foundations, the supporting structure, the building technology, the office design, and the Facility Management. Theoretical contributions present the basic principles of select