Advanced materials refers to newly developed material with better performance than traditional materials. Things like "power-generating and breathing" membrane structure, "self-cleaning" carbon fiber structure and "energy-saving" photovoltaic panel have been gradually introduced into architectural design,. This book collects a wide range of state-of-the-art materials and discusses their application and future development in architectural design. Each case included is carefully analysed with photos, detailed drawings and informative text. As a practical reference book, it provides readers with a comprehensive understanding about the current application of advanced materials in architectural design.

Sheet metal (aluminium sheet, aluminium-plastic panel, colour steel plate, copper plate, stainless steel plate, etc.) is extensively used in architecture due to its multiple advantages: it is environmentally friendly due to its high recovery percentage; its diversity in colours and forms enables various complex geometry patterns and textures; its weather resistance ability and durability can adapt to most buildings' requirements. It is also capable of achieving different visual effects: smooth aluminium sheet and stainless steel plate reflect the beauty of modern technology, while copper plate realises the integration of the present and the past. Through analysis, images, detailed drawings and informative text, it illustrates the characteristics of metal and its application.

Brick and stone have been used in architecture for a centuries and are favoured by architects for their unique properties. In recent years, with the development of new technologies, the variety of brick and stone materials has been greatly extended. This superbly illustrated book discusses masonry in two sections addressing brick and stone respectively, and goes further into detailed classification. The projects are elaborately selected and analysed, each presented with photos, drawings and narratives. Also included is a summary of the current state and future of the application of brick and stone in architecture, providing readers with a new understanding of masonry in the 21st century.

"As a typical element of traditional Chinese architecture, wood was extensively used in urban design, building groups and single buildings in the past. Nowadays, modern timber architecture is emerging all over the world. As an environment-friendly, natural and simple material, timber gains popularity in architectural design again. The book introduces different types of wood, each illustrated with specific cases, which are analysed through real-scene photos, detailed drawings and informative text. Through this well-organised book, readers will get a comprehensive understanding about the application of wood in architectural design" -- Publicaciones Arquitectura y Arte.

Publisher description

Now in its second edition: the trailblazing introduction and textbook on construction includes a new section on translucent materials and an article on the use of glass.

The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3500 BC in Mesopotamia and it is the Romans who first used glass in architecture. With the development of technology, glass has become a common material in contemporary architecture. There are glass ceramics, polished wire glass, groove glass, glass tiles etc. With diversified surface treatments, such as enameling, acid embossing, sandblasting, and screen printing, there seems to be endless choices for architectural design. This book introduces various glass types individually and uses photos, detailed drawings, and well-organized text to analyze and showcase the application of glass and structural details. With systematic content and a great source of information, this book can serve as a great reference for readers.