
The first edition of this illustrated guide to building construction appeared in 1975, introducing students and builders of architecture to the fundamental principles that govern how buildings are erected. It marked the emergence of a visual approach to understanding the relationship between design and construction.
In 1991, the second edition provided a more expansive survey of building construction by adding coverage of structural steel, reinforced concrete, and curtain wall systems. The third edition in 2001 remained a comprehensive introduction to
the principles underlying building construction while refining the graphic format and organization of the first two editions, incorporating an expanded discussion of structural principles, elements, and systems and referencing the Americans with
Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the MasterFormat™ system established by the Constructions Specifications Institute (CSI) for organizing construction information.
The fourth edition in 2008 introduced the LEED® Green Building Rating System™ in Chapter One and referenced specific LEED criteria wherever appropriate; updated section numbers to correspond to the 2004 edition of the CSI MasterFormat™ system; and complied with the requirements of the 2006 edition of the International Building Code®.

The first edition of this illustrated guide to building construction appeared in 1975, introducing students and builders of architecture to the fundamental principles that govern how buildings are erected. It marked the emergence of a visual approach to understanding the relationship between design and construction.
In 1991, the second edition provided a more expansive survey of building construction by adding coverage of structural steel, reinforced concrete, and curtain wall systems. The third edition in 2001 remained a comprehensive introduction to
the principles underlying building construction while refining the graphic format and organization of the first two editions, incorporating an expanded discussion of structural principles, elements, and systems and referencing the Americans with
Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the MasterFormat™ system established by the Constructions Specifications Institute (CSI) for organizing construction information.
The fourth edition in 2008 introduced the LEED® Green Building Rating System™ in Chapter One and referenced specific LEED criteria wherever appropriate; updated section numbers to correspond to the 2004 edition of the CSI MasterFormat™ system; and complied with the requirements of the 2006 edition of the International Building Code®.