Synopses & Reviews
Historical Building Constructionencourages the design of "elegant" and safe solutions to the structural problems caused by changes in use, changes in architectural design, or changes in the mechanical plant. It enables modern engineers to understand what assumptions their predecessors made, what materials they used, how they designed structures, and how their designs were built. Architects renovating older buildings, while not usually responsible for structural design, need to understand the design restrictions forced on them by the original structures.
A guide to the physical construction of buildings from the 1840s to the present, Historical Building Constructionuses narrative, drawings, and photographs to describe the development of masonry, wood, and steel construction, modern curtain walls and concrete slabs, and the use of cast iron and patented floor construction. It provides case histories to show how this information is applied to actual projects, ranging from brownstones to skyscrapers.
In order to show a consistent and well-documented set of examples evolving in chronological order, New York City is used as model, since many examples of obsolete forms are still available for examination. The general information given applies, with few exceptions, to buildings of the same types built all over the United States during the same period, and these are referenced as needed.
Every designer who works on old structures or studies them will find in Historical Building Construction help in the process of analyzing existing conditions in a building and suggestions for dealing with what lies hidden behind floor, wall, and ceiling finishes.
Review
"[A] classic in the field....A modern engineer attempting to renovate or rehabilitate buildings needs to understand the mundane as well as the exceptional in order to design the most effective and least intrusive solution. offers an engaging way to develop that understanding." Civil Engineering
Review
"[A] classic in the field….A modern engineer attempting to renovate or rehabilitate buildings needs to understand the mundane as well as the exceptional in order to design the most effective and least intrusive solution. Historical Building Construction offers an engaging way to develop that understanding." Civil Engineering
Synopsis
A comprehensive guide to the physical construction of buildings from the 1840s to the present, this study covers the history of concrete- , steel- , and skeleton-frame buildings, provides case histories that apply the information to a wide range of actual projects, and supplies technical data essential to professionals who work with historic structures.
Synopsis
An updated edition of the classic text detailing the ins and outs of old building construction.
About the Author
Donald Friedman, author of Historical Building Construction, is the president of Old Structures Engineering and lives in New York City.