A '''building''' or '''edifice''' is an enclosed [[Structure#Load-bearing|structure]] with a [[roof]], [[wall]]s and often [[window|windows]], usually standing permanently in one place,<ref name="Egenhofer" /> such as a [[house]] or [[factory]].<ref name="Egenhofer" /> Buildings come in a variety of [[size]]s, [[shape]]s, and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for numerous factors, from [[building material]]s available, to weather conditions, land prices, ground conditions, specific uses, [[monument|prestige]], and aesthetic reasons. To better understand the concept, see ''[[Nonbuilding structure]]'' for contrast.
A '''building''' or '''edifice''' is an enclosed [[Structure#Load-bearing|structure]] with a [[roof]], [[wall]]s and often [[window|windows]], usually standing permanently in one place,<ref name="Egenhofer" /> such as a [[house]] or [[factory]].<ref name="Egenhofer" /> Buildings come in a variety of [[size]]s, [[shape]]s, and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for numerous factors, from [[building material]]s available, to weather conditions, land prices, ground conditions, specific uses, [[monument|prestige]], and aesthetic reasons. To better understand the concept, see ''[[Nonbuilding structure]]'' for contrast.
[[File:Arg Alishah.png|thumb|right| A historical building in [[Tabriz]], [[Iran]]]]
Buildings serve several societal needs – occupancy, primarily as shelter from weather, security, living space, privacy, to store belongings, and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter represents a physical separation of the [[:Category:Human habitats|human habitat]] (a place of comfort and safety) from the ''outside'' (a place that may be harsh and harmful at times).
Buildings serve several societal needs – occupancy, primarily as shelter from weather, security, living space, privacy, to store belongings, and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter represents a physical separation of the [[:Category:Human habitats|human habitat]] (a place of comfort and safety) from the ''outside'' (a place that may be harsh and harmful at times).
buildings have been objects or canvasses of much [[architecture|artistic expression]]. In recent years, interest in [[sustainable engineering|sustainable planning]] and [[architectural engineering|building practice]]s has become an intentional part of the [[building design|design process]] of many [[contemporary architecture|new building]]s and other structures, usually [[green building|green buildings.]]
Buildings have been objects or canvasses of much [[architecture|artistic expression]]. In recent years, interest in [[sustainable engineering|sustainable planning]] and [[architectural engineering|building practice]]s has become an intentional part of the [[building design|design process]] of many [[contemporary architecture|new building]]s and other structures, usually [[green building|green buildings.]]
== Definition ==
== Definition ==
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== History ==
== History ==
{{see also|History of architecture}}
{{see also|History of architecture}}
There is clear evidence of homebuilding from around 18,000 BC.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Rob Dunn|author-link1=Robert Dunn (biologist)|journal=New Scientist|date=Aug 23, 2014|pages=34–37|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22329830.500-meet-the-lodgers-wildlife-in-the-great-indoors.html?full=true|title=Meet the lodgers: Wildlife in the great indoors|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129031849/http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22329830.500-meet-the-lodgers-wildlife-in-the-great-indoors.html?full=true|archive-date=2014-11-29}}</ref> Buildings became common during the [[Neolithic architecture|Neolithic period]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Daniel Cilia|date=2004|first=Anthony|last=Pace|chapter=Tarxien|title=Malta before History – The World's Oldest Free Standing Stone Architecture|publisher=Miranda Publishers|isbn=978-9990985085}}</ref>
There is clear evidence of homebuilding from around 18,000 BC.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Rob Dunn|author-link1=Robert Dunn (biologist)|journal=New Scientist|date=Aug 23, 2014|pages=34–37|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22329830.500-meet-the-lodgers-wildlife-in-the-great-indoors.html?full=true|title=Meet the lodgers: Wildlife in the great indoors|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129031849/http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22329830.500-meet-the-lodgers-wildlife-in-the-great-indoors.html?full=true|archive-date=2014-11-29}}</ref> Buildings became common during the [[Neolithic architecture|Neolithic period]].<ref>{{cite book|editor=Daniel Cilia|date=2004|first=Anthony|last=Pace|chapter=Tarxien|title=Malta before History – The World's Oldest Free Standing Stone Architecture|publisher=Miranda Publishers|isbn=978-99909-85-08-5}}</ref>
== Types ==
== Types ==
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{{main|List of house types}}
{{main|List of house types}}
{{unreferenced |section|date=June 2023}}
{{unreferenced |section|date=June 2023}}
Single-family residential buildings are most often called ''[[house]]s'' or ''[[home]]s''. Multi-family residential buildings containing more than one dwelling unit are called ''[[Duplex (building)|duplex]]es'' or ''[[apartment building]]s''. ''[[Condominium (living space)|Condominium]]s'' are apartments that occupants [[homeownership|own]] rather than [[lease|rent]]. Houses may be built in pairs ([[semi-detached]]) or in terraces, where all but two of the houses have others on either side. Apartments may be built round [[courtyard]]s or as rectangular blocks surrounded by plots of ground. Houses built as single dwellings may later be divided into apartments or [[bedsitter]]s, or converted to other uses (e.g., offices or shops). [[Hotel]]s, especially of the extended-stay variety ([[apartel]]s), can be classed as residential.
Single-family residential buildings are most often called ''[[house]]s'' or ''[[home]]s''. Multi-family residential buildings containing more than one dwelling unit are called ''[[Duplex (building)|duplex]]es'' or ''[[apartment building]]s''. ''[[Condominium (living space)|Condominium]]s'' are apartments that occupants [[homeownership|own]] rather than [[lease|rent]]. Houses may be built in pairs ([[semi-detached]]) or in terraces, where all but two of the houses have others on either side. Apartments may be built around [[courtyard]]s or as rectangular blocks surrounded by plots of ground. Houses built as single dwellings may later be divided into apartments or [[bedsitter]]s, or converted to other uses (e.g., offices or shops). [[Hotel]]s, especially of the extended-stay variety ([[apartel]]s), can be classed as residential.
Building types may range from [[Hut (dwelling)|hut]]s to multimillion-dollar [[high-rise]] [[apartment block]]s able to house thousands of people. Increasing settlement density in buildings (and smaller distances between buildings) is usually a response to high ground prices resulting from the desire of many people to live close to their places of employment or similar attractors.
Building types may range from [[Hut (dwelling)|hut]]s to multimillion-dollar [[high-rise]] [[apartment block]]s able to house thousands of people. Increasing settlement density in buildings (and smaller distances between buildings) is usually a response to high ground prices resulting from the desire of many people to live close to their places of employment or similar attractors.
Terms for residential buildings reflect such characteristics as ''function'' (e.g., [[holiday cottage]] (vacation home) or [[timeshare]] if occupied seasonally); ''size'' ([[cottage]] or [[great house]]); ''value'' ([[shack]] or [[mansion]]); ''manner of construction'' ([[log home]] or [[mobile home]]); ''architectural style'' ([[castle]] or [[Victorian house|Victorian]]); and ''proximity to geographical features'' ([[Earth sheltering |earth shelter]], [[stilt house]], [[houseboat]], or floating home). For residents in need of special care, or those society considers dangerous enough to deprive of [[freedom|liberty]], there are [[total institution|institution]]s ([[nursing home]]s, [[orphanage]]s, [[psychiatric hospital]]s, and [[prison]]s) and group housing ([[barracks]] and [[dormitory|dormitories]]).
Terms for residential buildings reflect such characteristics as ''function'' (e.g., [[holiday cottage]] (vacation home) or [[timeshare]] if occupied seasonally); ''size'' ([[cottage]] or [[great house]]); ''value'' ([[shack]] or [[mansion]]); ''manner of construction'' ([[log home]] or [[mobile home]]); ''architectural style'' ([[castle]] or [[Victorian house|Victorian]]); and ''proximity to geographical features'' ([[Earth sheltering |earth shelter]], [[stilt house]], [[houseboat]], or floating home). For residents in need of special care or those society considers dangerous enough to deprive of [[freedom|liberty]], there are [[total institution|institution]]s ([[nursing home]]s, [[orphanage]]s, [[psychiatric hospital]]s, and [[prison]]s) and group housing ([[barracks]] and [[dormitory|dormitories]]).
Historically, many people lived in communal buildings called [[longhouse]]s, smaller dwellings called [[pit-house]]s, and houses combined with barns, sometimes called [[housebarn]]s.
Historically, many people lived in communal buildings called [[longhouse]]s, smaller dwellings called [[pit-house]]s, and houses combined with barns, sometimes called [[housebarn]]s.
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=== Complex ===
=== Complex ===
[[File:Competitiveness - Korea.jpg|thumb|[[Aluminium|Aluminum]] panel framed [[steel building]] in Korea]]
[[File:Competitiveness - Korea.jpg|thumb|[[Aluminium|Aluminum]] panel framed [[steel building]] in Korea]]
Sometimes a group of inter-related (and possibly inter-connected) builds are referred to as a complex – for example a [[housing complex]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/plans-to-convert-former-housing-complex-into-flats/story-30042482-detail/story.html|title=plans to convert housing complex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125715/http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/plans-to-convert-former-housing-complex-into-flats/story-30042482-detail/story.html|archive-date=2017-01-10|access-date=2017-02-23}}</ref> educational complex,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.isye.gatech.edu/about/maps-directions/isye-building-complex|title=isye building complex|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103001851/https://www.isye.gatech.edu/about/maps-directions/isye-building-complex|archive-date=2017-01-03}}</ref> hospital complex, etc.
Sometimes a group of interrelated (and possibly inter-connected) builds are referred to as a complex – for example, a [[housing complex]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/plans-to-convert-former-housing-complex-into-flats/story-30042482-detail/story.html|title=plans to convert housing complex|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110125715/http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/plans-to-convert-former-housing-complex-into-flats/story-30042482-detail/story.html|archive-date=2017-01-10|access-date=2017-02-23}}</ref> educational complex,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.isye.gatech.edu/about/maps-directions/isye-building-complex|title=isye building complex|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103001851/https://www.isye.gatech.edu/about/maps-directions/isye-building-complex|archive-date=2017-01-03}}</ref> hospital complex, etc.
== Creation ==
== Creation ==
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings is most usually a collective effort of different groups of [[professional]]s and [[Tradesperson|trades]]. Depending on the size, complexity, and purpose of a particular building project, the project team may include:
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings is generally a collective effort of different groups of [[professional]]s and [[Tradesperson|trades]]. Depending on the size, complexity, and purpose of a particular building project, the project team may include:
* A [[real estate developer]] who secures [[funding]] for the project;
* A [[real estate developer]] who secures [[funding]] for the project;
* One or more financial institutions or other investors that provide the funding
* One or more financial institutions or other investors that provide the funding;
* Local planning and code authorities
* Local planning and code authorities;
* A [[Quantity surveyor|surveyor]] who performs an ALTA/ACSM and construction surveys throughout the project;
* A [[Quantity surveyor|surveyor]] who performs an ALTA/ACSM and construction surveys throughout the project;
* [[construction management|Construction manager]]s who coordinate the effort of different groups of project participants;
* [[construction management|Construction manager]]s who coordinate the effort of different groups of project participants;
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* [[facility management|Facility managers]] who are responsible for operating the building.
* [[facility management|Facility managers]] who are responsible for operating the building.
Regardless of their size or intended use, all buildings in the US must comply with [[zoning ordinance]]s, [[building code]]s and other regulations such as [[fire code]]s, [[life safety code]]s and related standards.
Regardless of their size or intended use, all buildings in the US must comply with [[zoning ordinance]]s, [[building code]]s, and other regulations such as [[fire code]]s, [[life safety code]]s, and related standards.
Vehicles—such as [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailers]], [[Travel trailer|caravans]], [[ship]]s and passenger [[aircraft]]—are treated as "buildings" for life safety purposes.
Vehicles—such as [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailers]], [[Travel trailer|caravans]], [[ship]]s, and passenger [[aircraft]]—are treated as "buildings" for life safety purposes.
=== Ownership and funding ===
=== Ownership and funding ===
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[[Image:Fire inside an abandoned convent in Massueville, Quebec, Canada.jpg|thumb|A building in [[Massueville]] ([[Quebec]], [[Canada]]) engulfed by [[fire]]]]
[[Image:Fire inside an abandoned convent in Massueville, Quebec, Canada.jpg|thumb|A building in [[Massueville]] ([[Quebec]], [[Canada]]) engulfed by [[fire]]]]
Buildings may be damaged during construction or during maintenance. They may be damaged by accidents<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/emergency/emergencies/internal/buildingdamage.html |title=Building Damage |publisher=Pb.unimelb.edu.au |access-date=2014-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214231334/http://www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/emergency/emergencies/internal/buildingdamage.html |archive-date=2014-02-14 }}</ref> involving storms, explosions, subsidence caused by mining,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herrera |first1=G. |last2=Álvarez Fernández |first2=M.I. |last3=Tomás |first3=R. |last4=González-Nicieza |first4=C. |last5=López-Sánchez |first5=J.M. |last6=Álvarez Vigil |first6=A.E. |date=September 2012 |title=Forensic analysis of buildings affected by mining subsidence based on Differential Interferometry (Part III) |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1350630712000465 |journal=Engineering Failure Analysis |language=en |volume=24 |pages=67–76 |doi=10.1016/j.engfailanal.2012.03.003|hdl=20.500.12468/749 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> water withdrawal<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bru|first1=G. |last2=Herrera|first2=G. |last3=Tomás|first3=R.|last4=Duro|first4=J.|last5=Vega|first5=R. De la|last6=Mulas|first6=J.|date=2013-02-01|title=Control of deformation of buildings affected by subsidence using persistent scatterer interferometry|journal=Structure and Infrastructure Engineering|volume=9|issue=2|pages=188–200 |doi=10.1080/15732479.2010.519710|s2cid=110521863|issn=1573-2479}}</ref> or poor foundations<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Díaz |first1=E. |last2=Robles |first2=P. |last3=Tomás |first3=R. |date=October 2018 |title=Multitechnical approach for damage assessment and reinforcement of buildings located on subsiding areas: Study case of a 7-story RC building in Murcia (SE Spain) |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0141029617339081 |journal=Engineering Structures |language=en |volume=173 |pages=744–757 |doi=10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.07.031|bibcode=2018EngSt.173..744D |hdl=10045/77547 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and landslides.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Soldato|first1=Matteo Del|last2=Bianchini|first2=Silvia|last3=Calcaterra|first3=Domenico|last4=Vita|first4=Pantaleone De|last5=Martire|first5=Diego Di |last6=Tomás|first6=Roberto |last7=Casagli|first7=Nicola|date=2017-07-12|title=A new approach for landslide-induced damage assessment|journal=Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk|volume=8|issue=2|pages=1524–1537|doi=10.1080/19475705.2017.1347896|s2cid=73697187|issn=1947-5705 |url=https://flore.unifi.it/bitstream/2158/1094374/2/A%20new%20approach%20for%20landslide%20induced%20damage%20assessment.pdf |doi-access=free|bibcode=2017GNHR....8.1524D }}</ref> Buildings may suffer [[fire damage]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brotóns|first1=V.|last2=Tomás|first2=R.|last3=Ivorra|first3=S.|last4=Alarcón|first4=J. C. |date=2013-12-17|title=Temperature influence on the physical and mechanical properties of a porous rock: San Julian's calcarenite|journal=Engineering Geology|volume=167|issue=Supplement C|pages=117–127|doi=10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.10.012|bibcode=2013EngGe.167..117B }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tomás |first1=R. |last2=Cano |first2=M. |last3=Pulgarín |first3=L.F. |last4=Brotóns |first4=V. |last5=Benavente |first5=D. |last6=Miranda |first6=T. |last7=Vasconcelos |first7=G. |date=November 2021 |title=Thermal effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of a granite used in UNESCO World Heritage sites in north Portugal |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352710221006811 |journal=Journal of Building Engineering |language=en |volume=43 |pages=102823 |doi=10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102823|hdl=10045/115630 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and flooding.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marvi |first=Morteza T. |date=2020-07-01 |title=A review of flood damage analysis for a building structure and contents |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-03941-w |journal=Natural Hazards |language=en |volume=102 |issue=3 |pages=967–995 |doi=10.1007/s11069-020-03941-w |bibcode=2020NatHa.102..967M |issn=1573-0840|url-access=subscription }}</ref> They may become dilapidated through lack of proper maintenance, or alteration work improperly carried out.
Buildings may be damaged during construction or during maintenance. They may be damaged by accidents<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/emergency/emergencies/internal/buildingdamage.html |title=Building Damage |publisher=Pb.unimelb.edu.au |access-date=2014-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214231334/http://www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/emergency/emergencies/internal/buildingdamage.html |archive-date=2014-02-14 }}</ref> involving storms, explosions, subsidence caused by mining,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herrera |first1=G. |last2=Álvarez Fernández |first2=M.I. |last3=Tomás |first3=R. |last4=González-Nicieza |first4=C. |last5=López-Sánchez |first5=J.M. |last6=Álvarez Vigil |first6=A.E. |date=September 2012 |title=Forensic analysis of buildings affected by mining subsidence based on Differential Interferometry (Part III) |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1350630712000465 |journal=Engineering Failure Analysis |language=en |volume=24 |pages=67–76 |doi=10.1016/j.engfailanal.2012.03.003|hdl=20.500.12468/749 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> water withdrawal<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bru|first1=G. |last2=Herrera|first2=G. |last3=Tomás|first3=R.|last4=Duro|first4=J.|last5=Vega|first5=R. De la|last6=Mulas|first6=J.|date=2013-02-01|title=Control of deformation of buildings affected by subsidence using persistent scatterer interferometry|journal=Structure and Infrastructure Engineering|volume=9|issue=2|pages=188–200 |doi=10.1080/15732479.2010.519710|s2cid=110521863|issn=1573-2479}}</ref> or poor foundations<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Díaz |first1=E. |last2=Robles |first2=P. |last3=Tomás |first3=R. |date=October 2018 |title=Multitechnical approach for damage assessment and reinforcement of buildings located on subsiding areas: Study case of a 7-story RC building in Murcia (SE Spain) |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0141029617339081 |journal=Engineering Structures |language=en |volume=173 |pages=744–757 |doi=10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.07.031|bibcode=2018EngSt.173..744D |hdl=10045/77547 |hdl-access=free |url-access=subscription }}</ref> and landslides.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Soldato|first1=Matteo Del|last2=Bianchini|first2=Silvia|last3=Calcaterra|first3=Domenico|last4=Vita|first4=Pantaleone De|last5=Martire|first5=Diego Di |last6=Tomás|first6=Roberto |last7=Casagli|first7=Nicola|date=2017-07-12|title=A new approach for landslide-induced damage assessment|journal=Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk|volume=8|issue=2|pages=1524–1537|doi=10.1080/19475705.2017.1347896|s2cid=73697187|issn=1947-5705 |url=https://flore.unifi.it/bitstream/2158/1094374/2/A%20new%20approach%20for%20landslide%20induced%20damage%20assessment.pdf |doi-access=free|bibcode=2017GNHR....8.1524D }}</ref> Buildings may suffer [[fire damage]]<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brotóns|first1=V.|last2=Tomás|first2=R.|last3=Ivorra|first3=S.|last4=Alarcón|first4=J. C. |date=2013-12-17|title=Temperature influence on the physical and mechanical properties of a porous rock: San Julian's calcarenite|journal=Engineering Geology|volume=167|issue=Supplement C|pages=117–127|doi=10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.10.012|bibcode=2013EngGe.167..117B }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tomás |first1=R. |last2=Cano |first2=M. |last3=Pulgarín |first3=L.F. |last4=Brotóns |first4=V. |last5=Benavente |first5=D. |last6=Miranda |first6=T. |last7=Vasconcelos |first7=G. |date=November 2021 |title=Thermal effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of a granite used in UNESCO World Heritage sites in north Portugal |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2352710221006811 |journal=Journal of Building Engineering |language=en |volume=43 |article-number=102823 |doi=10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102823|hdl=10045/115630 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and flooding.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marvi |first=Morteza T. |date=2020-07-01 |title=A review of flood damage analysis for a building structure and contents |journal=Natural Hazards |language=en |volume=102 |issue=3 |pages=967–995 |doi=10.1007/s11069-020-03941-w |bibcode=2020NatHa.102..967M |issn=1573-0840}}</ref> They may become dilapidated through lack of proper maintenance, or alteration work improperly carried out.
Buildings serve several societal needs – occupancy, primarily as shelter from weather, security, living space, privacy, to store belongings, and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter represents a physical separation of the human habitat (a place of comfort and safety) from the outside (a place that may be harsh and harmful at times).
A building is 'a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place';[1] "there was a three-storey building on the corner"; "it was an imposing edifice". In the broadest interpretation a fence or wall is a building.[2] However, the word structure is used more broadly than building, to include natural and human-made formations[3] and ones that do not have walls; structure is more often used for a fence. Sturgis' Dictionary included that "[building] differs from architecture in excluding all idea of artistic treatment; and it differs from construction in the idea of excluding scientific or highly skillful treatment."[4]
Structural height in technical usage is the height to the highest architectural detail on the building from street level. Spires and masts may or may not be included in this height, depending on how they are classified. Spires and masts used as antennas are not generally included. The distinction between a low-rise and high-rise building is a matter of debate, but generally three stories or less is considered low-rise.[5]
History
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There is clear evidence of homebuilding from around 18,000 BC.[6] Buildings became common during the Neolithic period.[7]
Types
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Single-family residential buildings are most often called houses or homes. Multi-family residential buildings containing more than one dwelling unit are called duplexes or apartment buildings. Condominiums are apartments that occupants own rather than rent. Houses may be built in pairs (semi-detached) or in terraces, where all but two of the houses have others on either side. Apartments may be built around courtyards or as rectangular blocks surrounded by plots of ground. Houses built as single dwellings may later be divided into apartments or bedsitters, or converted to other uses (e.g., offices or shops). Hotels, especially of the extended-stay variety (apartels), can be classed as residential.
Building types may range from huts to multimillion-dollar high-riseapartment blocks able to house thousands of people. Increasing settlement density in buildings (and smaller distances between buildings) is usually a response to high ground prices resulting from the desire of many people to live close to their places of employment or similar attractors.
Historically, many people lived in communal buildings called longhouses, smaller dwellings called pit-houses, and houses combined with barns, sometimes called housebarns.
Common building materials include brick, concrete, stone, and combinations thereof. Buildings are defined to be substantial, permanent structures. Such forms as yurts and motorhomes are therefore considered dwellings but not buildings.
A commercial building is one in which at least one business is based and people do not live. Examples include stores, restaurant, and hotels.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Sometimes a group of interrelated (and possibly inter-connected) builds are referred to as a complex – for example, a housing complex,[8] educational complex,[9] hospital complex, etc.
Creation
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings is generally 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:
The principal design Engineering disciplines which would normally include the following professionals: Civil, Structural, Mechanical building services or HVAC (heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) Electrical Building Services, Plumbing and drainage. Also other possible design Engineer specialists may be involved such as Fire (prevention), Acoustic, façade engineers, building physics, Telecoms, AV (Audio Visual), BMS (Building Management Systems) Automatic controls etc. These design Engineers also prepare construction documents which are issued to specialist contractors to obtain a price for the works and to follow for the installations.
Any building requires a certain general amount of internal infrastructure to function, which includes such elements like heating / cooling, power and telecommunications, water and wastewater etc. Especially in commercial buildings (such as offices or factories), these can be extremely intricate systems taking up large amounts of space (sometimes located in separate areas or double floors / false ceilings) and constitute a big part of the regular maintenance required.
ElevatorFile:Under Construction Building.jpgAn under construction building in Pune, India. It is a high rise building, located in the South-Eastern Part of the city. In an area commonly known as 'Nine Hills'.
Buildings may be damaged during construction or during maintenance. They may be damaged by accidents[10] involving storms, explosions, subsidence caused by mining,[11] water withdrawal[12] or poor foundations[13] and landslides.[14] Buildings may suffer fire damage[15][16] and flooding.[17] They may become dilapidated through lack of proper maintenance, or alteration work improperly carried out.
↑Building def. 2. Whitney, William Dwight, and Benjamin E. Smith. The Century dictionary and cyclopedia. vol. 1. New York: Century Co., 1901. 712. Print.
↑Structure. def. 2. Merriam-Webster's dictionary of synonyms: a dictionary of discriminated synonyms with antonyms and analogous and contrasted words.. Springfield, Mass: Merriam-Webster, 1984. 787. Print.
↑Building. def 1. Sturgis, Russell. A dictionary of architecture and building: biographical, historical, and descriptive. vol. 1. New York: The Macmillan Co.; 1901. 2236. Print.
↑Paul Francis Wendt and Alan Robert Cerf (1979), Real estate investment analysis and taxation, McGraw-Hill, p. 210
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