History of Building Construction

Building construction is an essential human activity. It developed with the wholly functional desire for a controlled environment to withstand the effects of climate. Built shelters were one way by which people were able to adapt themselves to the great variety of weather conditions and become a global species.

Human abodes were initially very simple and perhaps lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even temporary structures developed into such highly refined forms as the igloo. Eventually more durable structures began to arise, particularly after the beginning of farming, when people began to stay in one place for long periods. The first houses, but afterwards other functions, such as food storage and ceremony, were housed in different buildings. Some buildings began to have symbolic as well as functional value, denoting the beginning of the characteristics between architecture and building.

The history of building is marked by several trends. One is the developing durability of the materials used. Early building materials were perishable, such as leaves, branches, and animal hides. Later, more durable natural materials—such as clay, stone, and timber—and, finally, synthetic materials—such as brick, concrete, metals, and plastics—were used. Another is the desire for structures 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 elements that affect our comfort has been made possible. Yet another factor is the change in energy available to the construction process, starting with human muscle power and moving into the powerful machinery used today.

The present state of home construction is complex. There is a wide range of structural products and systems which are aimed specifically at groups of building types or markets. The design process for buildings is highly organised and uses research establishments that study material properties and performance, code officials who develop and enforce safety standards, and design professionals who determine user requirements 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 create them on the construction site, the contractors who employ and coordinate the work of the craftsmen, and consultants who specialise in such aspects as construction management, quality control, and insurance.

Building construction today is an important part of modern culture, a manifestation of its range and complexity and a measure of its mastery of natural forces, which can produce a widely varied built environment to provide for the diverse needs of people. This article first traces the history of building construction, then portrays its development at the present time.

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