Contemporary Structure in Architecture (Classic Reprint)

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Excerpt from Contemporary Structure in Architecture

In this book, I have endeavoured to bridge the gap between the way of thinking of architect and engineer, a gap which must be bridged if architecture is to take full advantage of the revolutionary development of contemporary structure, and not regard it merely as a means of taking greater liberties with the forms arising out of structural principles no longer employed. I need not elaborate further upon the nature of the book, since this is made clear in the Foreword and Postscript, to the authors of which I am greatly indebted for their contributions. I have found it con venient to first, the complete range of contemporary structure, in order to place in true-perspective the architectural potentialities of structural materials and $2; structural vocabulary which confronts the architect to-day. The subsequent analysis of the effects and influence of contemporary structure on the trends of architectural design, can then be followed with this structural vocabulary as a back ground, drawing upon' it as necessary for the illustration of developments and potentialities.

I should like here to meet one possible criticism. This book is concerned with structural potentialities in relation to architectural design; with what has been done and what can be done within the limits of reasonable economy. An architect does not often seek the cheapest method of construction without having regard to other factors such as appearance, maintenance, durability, etc and cost has therefore not been a criterion in selecting the structures illustrated; for if it had been, the scope of the book might have been much more limited. I have also avoided, as far as possible, the question of relative cost since this is bound to vary not only from one country to another and from one locality to another, but also from one decade to another or even from year to year. On the other hand, I have endeavoured to indicate methods of economising in material, which if not always leading to an overall saving in cost at the present time, seem to provide a sound basis for seeking economy.

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