Building Construction Illustrated by Francis D.K. Ching


Building Construction Illustrated
Title : Building Construction Illustrated
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0471358983
ISBN-10 : 9780471358985
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 464
Publication : First published February 1, 2014

A professional architect presents an update to the classic manual on residential and light construction techniques and includes increased coverage of environmentally friendly materials--plus the latest data on concrete, steel and glazing technology, energy efficiency in buildings, moisture and thermal protection, natural lighting, and masonry. 100+ line drawings.


Building Construction Illustrated Reviews


  • Karl Gruenewald

    Ching's books are well-known in the architectural community as a fabulous source of information on a range of topics – ranging from structure, to form, to representation – that are richly illustrated and presented in a clear and comprehensive way intuitive to the visual learners who make up the bulk of the profession. Of these, Building Construction Illustrated is perhaps the most celebrated and time-tested of all, having remained a go-to reference on the shelves of both architecture students and fully licensed Architects since the first edition was published in 1975.

    A masterpiece of the genre, this book is the first that comes to mind when I'm asked which books I would recommend to aspiring students or anyone who wants to learn more about architecture and how a building actually goes together. It is also one of the primary reference sources used by Intern Architects in Canada preparing to write their professional exams before becoming fully-licensed professionals. Now in its sixth edition, this book is a mainstay and who is seriously interested in architecture will regret owning it.

  • Brittany

    This book lives on my desk at work. Definitely written for architects (or should I say illustrated there are few words).

  • Em

    Could not have survived the semester without it.

  • Amanda

    Every book by Ching is a book worth owning.

  • Baboula

    5⭐️

    Top notch graphics 👌🏻

  • Philip Bergstresser



    Required addition to any serious builder's library

  • Jack Stephens

    Required reading when I studied architecture and still a valuable resource for anyone with their hands in the design of buildings.

  • Alison Melancon

    Rather easy read as far as textbooks go. Lots of information and graphics packed onto each page. Extremely easy to skip around on topics as you need them.. I read this cover to cover in preparing for the ARE and it covers so much information needed for the tests.

  • Zhraa زهراء

    This is an amazing book, like other Ching's books.
    Easy, straightforward with high quality illustrations.

    Helped me to do this drawing! :)


    Floating-Restaurant-Sheet-11-Wall-Section

    upload an

  • Yulika

    The pictures are nice. Very informative. End of story.

  • LS

    I read it from cover to cover. The magic must be in the drawings because the prose is excruciatingly dry. It is missing coverage of those little balconies and tiny patios common in many West coast apartment building high rises, as well as anything on welding symbols. Not a self-contained book if you do not know anything about construction, as I had to make sure I had read ahead in Allen & Iano to fully understand what Ching was saying. The place where this book is indispensable is in the completeness, variety, and perfection of the drawings. The situation is similar to that of studying human anatomy when you have a book with clear, color coded diagrams of all the parts and their systems; then when you see an actual photograph of kidney and its cross section you know what is what. This is because the plans for a building can be incomplete due to omissions, mistakes and artistic license, so it is nice to know what a section of a curtain wall or whatever is supposed to contain. Some of the text seemed almost verbatim from Allen & Iano, however the sections on plumbing and electrical, and HVAC systems were superior to the treatment in Allen & Iano and really summed things up nicely. The suggestions about info to request from vendors is also a handy time saver.

  • Hooper

    This is hands down the most practically informative book I've ever read (although it's not really something you read cover to cover!). Very clear illustrations help in visualizing the construction of a building from locating the right site, to installing solar panels and casting your own concrete slabs.

  • Du

    Really good resource to see how building construction is both simple and a very complex process. The illustrations and the text documenting the different phases and the different requirements for safe and secure home building is very telling. This is a reference book, so there is no story or prose to consider, and the collective education the pages offer, is very clear and concise.

  • Lauren

    This book is an excellent reference for architects, designers and any interested party in the construction industry. Unless you're really interested in the mechanics of building technology, and have a general grasp of how things go together, this is certainly one to skip. I found this invaluable when studying for my licensing exams and hold it in high esteem.

  • Laura

    This is first "go to" book of reference on my shelf. I prefer the second addition - but all are very useful. Lots of clear illustrations. Good construction overview. My copy is full of tabs and very worn. A must have for architects and students of architecture

  • Charles Horn

    Excellent refrence, and i find the graphics astounding.

  • Michelle

    I opened this book twice so far. I will let you know if it gets more useful in the future.

  • Tom Hilde

    How to build anything. Amazing illustration.

  • Dawn

    The most useful reference book I have used in my architectural career/ university course so far.

  • Andrell

    Helpful! Still on my shelf at work

  • Vinod Suthar

    nothing

  • James

    No longer own it.

  • Cacia Graziela

    Meu companheiro de detalhamento até a entrega de projeto :)