A good construction manual is a must have for any architect’s library.

The Modern Construction Handbook by Andrew Watts is in my opinion one of the best construction manuals these days, covering construction systems in an extensive way. The best of this book are the details: good quality of the drawings and 3D sections that help you understand the details in a better way.

Construction manuals tend to be very outdated, even if they are brand new. On the contrary, this book includes a whole section on energy and alternative materials, along with a section called “Future” which helps us resolve complex geometries, twisted facades, new glazing systems and more.

The book has 500 pages printed in good quality paper, something very important for  a book that you will be constantly flipping when needing help on a project.

More images about the book, along with the full index so you can see if it fits you after the break:

The Modern Construction Handbook has become a building construction classic. Its systematic approach with chapters on materials, walls, roofs, construction and environment offers clear and efficient orientation.

The second edition underwent a considerable expansion and has been thoroughly updated:

Digital fabrication techniques are included and presented in an instructional book for the first time, in addition to traditional production processes
- Constructive building principles are shown with new, color 3D drawings and illustrated with photos of built examples of the work of renown architects
- More and densely packed information provided by 3D drawings of the individual components and structures
- Glossary following every chapter containing explanations of terminology and related information
- Environmental aspects and properties of the different materials
- New design and rendering methods such as parametrical design, CAD/CAM and 3D Modeler are explained, shown and integrated in the respective chapters.

- SpringerWienNewYork

Publisher: SpringerWienNewYork
Author: Andrew Watts
Layout and Cover Design: Yasmin Watts

Language: English
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 504
Illustrations: 1000 color illustrations
Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.5 x 1.6 inches
ISBN: 978-3-211-99195-4

Index

Introduction

Introduction to Second Edition
Changes from the First Edition
Structure of this book

1. Materials

Taxonomy of material systems
Structure and envelope
Digital tectonics
Parametric design

Tectonics in metal
Steel
Aluminium
Copper, zinc and lead

Tectonics in glass
Glass

Tectonics in concrete
Concrete

Tectonics in masonry
Masonry
Concrete block
Stone
Brick

Tectonics in plastics
Plastics and composites

Tectonics in timber
Timber
Fabrics and membranes

Internal walls
Fixed and demountable
Plaster systems
Wallboard systems

Floors
Ceilings

2. Walls

Trends in facade design
Generic wall types

Metal
Sheet metal
Profiled cladding
Composite panels
Rainscreens
Mesh screens
Louvre screens

Glass systems
Stick systems
Unitised glazing
Clamped glazing
Bolt fixed glazing
Glass blocks and channels
Steel windows
Aluminium windows
Timber windows

Concrete
Cast in situ
Storey height precast
Small precast panels

Masonry loadbearing walls

Masonry cavity walls
Brick
Stone and block
Masonry cladding
Masonry rainscreens

Plastic
Plastic-based cladding
Plastic rainscreens

Timber
Timber frame
Cladding panels

3. Roofs

Trends in roof design

Metal roofs
Metal standing seam
Profiled metal sheet
Composite panels
Rainscreens
Metal louvres

Glass roofs
Greenhouse glazing and capped systems
Silicone-sealed glazing and rooflights
Bolt fixed glazing
Bonded glass rooflights

Concrete
Concealed membranes
Exposed membranes
Planted roof

Timber roofs
Flat roof: mastic asphalt coverings
Flat roof: bitumen-based sheet membranes
Pitched roof: tiles

Plastic roofs
GRP rooflights
GRP panels and shells

Fabric systems
ETFE cushions
Single membrane: cone-shaped roof
Single membrane: barrel-shaped roof

4. Structure

Material systems for structures

Braced frames
Reinforced concrete
Steel
Timber

Portal frames

Loadbearing boxes
Reinforced concrete
Brick
Glass

Trusses

Arches and shells

Space grids

Floor structures
Cast in situ / cast-in-place concrete
Precast concrete
Steel and steel mesh
Timber
Glass

Stairs
Concrete
Steel
Timber
Glass

5. Environment

Energy and the building envelope

Double skin facades
Environmental studies for envelopes

Analysis for design
Solar radiation
Daylight
Embodied energy

Passive design
Natural ventilation
Solar shading and daylight controls
Solar power
Solar heating

Low energy material systems
Straw bales and hemp
Rammed earth, cob and adobe bricks
Green oak and bamboo
Green walls

Active design
Liquid based heating/cooling systems
Mechanical heating/cooling systems
Electrical lighting
Fuel and water supply

Support services
Sanitation and drainage
Fire control
Maintenance and cleaning
Lifts

6. Future

A future for building construction
Folded glazing
Metal solar shading: louvres and mesh
Triangular panels for twisted facades
Twisted panels with flat glass for twisted facades
Moving shading panels
Precast concrete panels for facades of complex geometry
Glazing systems with integral solar shading
Stick glazing for double facades
Shingled glazing for facades of complex geometry
Variable concrete panels for solar shading
Structural facades of complex geometry
Facade with integrated furniture

References

Glossary of terms
Authorship
Photo credits
Index

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