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BUILDING
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In architecture, construction, and real estate development the word building may refer to one of the following:
- Any man-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy or
- An act of construction.
To differentiate buildings and other structures that are not intended for continuous human occupancy, the latter are called nonbuilding structures.
The concept of a building
- Physiological. The human body can be sustained and may effectively function only within a limited range of climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity, moisture, sunlight, and amount of oxygen and pollutants in the air. Along with access to food and drinking water, the need to creating places that are protected from the outdoors and where one can comfortably live, work, eat, sleep, procreate or engage in leisurely activities has always been a top priority for humans. A building as a shelter represents a physical division of the human habitat into the inside (a place of comfort and safety) and the outside (a place that at times may be harsh and harmful).
- Psychological. Buildings are an inseparable and in most cases an essential part of basic attributes of a human life, such as home, family, work, and sex.
- Philosophical. The ability to create, control and change their living conditions is what separates humans from animals. Unlike less intelligent species who are driven purely by a natural instinct when building their nests, humans can construct buildings for purposes other than creating a shelter. Buildings can be used to express a religious belief (see Religious architecture), make a political statement (see Freedom Tower; Nazi architecture; Stalinist architecture), or serve as status symbols that reflect the wealth and high social status of their owners (see Egyptian pyramids; Mansion; World's tallest structures).
- Aesthetical. Humans have a remarkable drive to reflect on their lives and express themselves through art. Ever since the first cave paintings, the buildings and everything on, inside and near buildings—walls, ceilings, furniture, furnishings, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, gardens, courtyards, streets and public parks—have become objects of artistic expression.
History
The first artificial shelter on Earth is believed to be built 500,000 years ago by an ancient ancestor of humans, Homo erectus.[1]
Types of buildings
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Building materials and systems
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Creation
The practice of designing, constructing and operating buildings is as old as the humankind and is normally a collective effort of different groups of professionals and trades. Depending on the size, complexity and purpose of a particular building project, the project team may include:
Regardless of their size or intended use, all buildings must comply with zoning ordinances, building codes and other regulations such as fire codes, life safety codes and related standards.
Vehicles—such as trailers, caravans, ships and passenger aircraft—are treated as "buildings" for life safety purposes.
Building ownership and funding
Planning and design
Construction
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Operation
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Building services
Conveying systems
Systems for transport of people within buildings:
Systems for transport of people between interconnected buildings:
Mechanical systems
Electrical systems
See also
Footnotes
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