Building

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For other uses, see (disambiguation)}}}.

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.

Contents

1 The concept of a building
2 History
3 Types of buildings
4 Building materials and systems
5 Creation

5.1 Building ownership and funding
5.2 Planning and design
5.3 Construction
5.4 Operation

6 Building services

6.1 Conveying systems
6.2 Mechanical systems
6.3 Electrical systems

7 See also
8 Footnotes

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.

Types of buildings

Building materials and systems

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:

A real estate developer who secures funding for the project;
Construction managers who coordinate the effort of different groups of project participants;
Licensed architects and engineers who provide building design and prepare construction documents;
Landscape architects;
Interior designers;
Contractors who provide construction services and install building systems such as climate control, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security and telecommunications;
Marketing or leasing agents;
Facility managers who are responsible for operating the building.

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

Construction management
Site construction

Operation

Building services

Conveying systems

Systems for transport of people within buildings:

Elevator
Escalator
Moving sidewalk (horizontal and inclined)

Systems for transport of people between interconnected buildings:

Mechanical systems

Electrical systems

Footnotes

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