Building construction is an essential human activity. It began with the wholly functional requirement for a controlled environment to withstand the effects of climate. Constructed shelters were one way by which people were able to adjust themselves to the large variety of climates and become a global species.
Human shelters were in the beginning very unsophisticated and perhaps lasted only a few days or months. Over time, however, even temporary structures developed into such highly refined forms as the igloo. Gradually more durable structures began to appear, particularly after the advent of agriculture, when people began to stay in one place for long periods. The early dwellings, but later other functions, such as food storage and ceremony, were placed in separate buildings. Some buildings began to have symbolic as well as functional value, denoting the beginning of the difference 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 flimsy, such as leaves, branches, and animal hides. Later, more durable natural materials—eg clay, stone, and timber—and, finally, synthetic materials—such as brick, concrete, metals, and plastics—were used. Another is a quest for buildings 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 exploit them to greater advantage. A third major trend is the degree of control exercised 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 human comfort has been made possible. Yet another element is the change in energy available to the construction process, starting with human muscle power and developing toward the powerful machinery used today.
The current state of building construction is complex. There is a wide range of structural products and systems which are aimed specifically at classes of building types or markets. The design process for buildings is highly organised and calls upon research establishments that study material properties and performance, code officials who adopt 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 assemble them on the building site, the contractors who employ and coordinate the work of the builders, and consultants who specialise in such aspects as construction management, quality control, and insurance.
Building construction today is a significant part of industrial culture, a product of its diversity and complexity and a measure of its mastery of natural forces, which can produce a widely varied built environment to serve the diverse needs of humans. This article first outlines the history of building construction, then portrays its development at the present time.
Looking for a building inspections Brisbane? Contact homeinspect.com.au for a professional inspection with photographic evidence. Over 45 years experience.
