History of Building Construction
Building construction is an ancient human activity. It began with the purely functional requirement for a controlled environment to withstand the effects of climate. Constructed shelters were one means by which people were able to adjust themselves to a large variety of weather conditions and become a worldwide species.
Human abodes were in the beginning very simple and probably lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even semi-permanent buildings evolved into such highly refined forms as the igloo. Gradually more durable structures began to appear, particularly after the beginning of farming, when people began to stay in one place for long periods. The first shelters were {homes, but afterwards other functions, such as food storage and ceremony, were housed in separate buildings. Some buildings began to have symbolic as well as operational value, marking the beginning of the distinction between architecture and building.
The history of building is marked by several trends. One is the increasing 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—are used. Another is a quest for structures of ever greater height and span; this was made possible by the development of stronger materials and by knowledge of how materials behave and how to use them to greater advantage. A third 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 which affect human comfort has been made possible. Yet another trend is the change in energy available to the building process, starting with human muscle power and moving into the powerful machinery used today.
The current state of home construction is complex. There is a wide range of structural products and systems which are aimed specifically at areas 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 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 highly organised; it includes the manufacturers of building products and systems, the craftsmen who create them on the building site, the contractors who hire 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 industrial culture, a manifestation of its diversity 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 humans. This article first traces the history of building construction, then portrays its development at the present time.
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