Building

Definition and History of Buildings
– A building is an enclosed structure with a roof and walls, intended for human occupancy.
– The term ‘structure’ is used more broadly and can include natural formations.
– Buildings have existed since around 18,000 BC and became common during the Neolithic period.
– The history of architecture is closely tied to the development of buildings.
– Different architectural styles have emerged throughout history.
– The construction of buildings has evolved with advancements in technology.

Types of Buildings
– There are various types of buildings, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and mixed-use.
– Residential buildings include houses, apartments, and condominiums.
– Commercial buildings are used for businesses, such as stores and hotels.
– Industrial buildings are designed for heavy industry and manufacturing.
– Agricultural buildings, like barns, are found on farms.

Residential Buildings
– Single-family residential buildings are commonly referred to as houses or homes.
– Multi-family residential buildings include duplexes, apartment buildings, and condominiums.
– Houses can be built in pairs or in terraces.
– Apartments can be arranged around courtyards or as rectangular blocks.
– Residential building types vary in function, size, value, construction, style, and proximity to geographical features.

Commercial Buildings
– Commercial buildings are used for businesses and do not have residential occupants.
– Examples include stores, restaurants, and hotels.
– Commercial buildings cater to the needs of customers and clients.
– They are designed to facilitate business operations.
– Commercial buildings contribute to economic activity and urban development.

Environmental Impacts and Energy Efficiency
– Buildings account for 37% of global energy use and CO2 emissions.
– Global CO2 emissions from building materials manufacturing are 39%.
– Without new technologies, emissions could double by 2050.
– Glass buildings contribute to climate change due to energy inefficiency.
– Existing buildings are responsible for 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
– Energy-efficient buildings reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to achieving climate change goals.
– Improving energy efficiency can lead to significant cost savings.
– Energy-efficient buildings enhance occupant comfort and productivity.
– Sustainable construction reduces resource consumption, minimizes waste generation, and improves indoor air quality.
– Glass skyscrapers contribute to high energy consumption and increased carbon emissions.
– Building damage can occur due to accidents, storms, fires, flooding, lack of maintenance, or poor alteration work.
– Subsidence, landslides, and temperature variations can also affect building integrity and materials.

External Resources:
– The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article on building is available on Wikisource.
– The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction provides reports on zero-emissions and resilient buildings.
– The United Nations Environment Programme offers resources on sustainable buildings.
– The Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies by Natasa Nord covers building energy efficiency.
– Iberdrola provides information on bioclimatic architecture and environmentally friendly buildings. Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building

Building (Wikipedia)

For the act of making buildings, see Construction. For structures not intended for human occupancy, see Nonbuilding structure. For other uses, see Building (disambiguation). For another use of "Edifice", see Casio Edifice.

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A building or edifice is an enclosed structure with a roof and walls, usually standing permanently in one place, such as a house or factory. Buildings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for numerous factors, from building materials available, to weather conditions, land prices, ground conditions, specific uses, prestige, and aesthetic reasons. To better understand the concept, see Nonbuilding structure for contrast.

Short visual history of architectural styles (from left to right): the Ishtar Gate (Mesopotamian); the Temple of Isis from Philae (Ancient Egyptian); the Maison Carrée (Greco-Roman); the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (Indian); the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests of the Temple of Heaven (Chinese); the Basilica of San Vitale (Byzantine); Badshahi Mosque (Islamic); the Durham Cathedral (Romanesque); Sainte-Chapelle (Gothic); the Tempietto (Renaissance); Château de Maisons (Baroque); boiserie from the Hôtel de Varengeville (Rococo); the Petit Trianon (Neoclassical); Grand Central Terminal, Midtown Manhattan, New York City (Beaux-Arts); the Castel Béranger (Art Nouveau); the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (Art Deco); the Fagus Factory (Modern); and the Neue Staatsgalerie (Postmodern)

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).

Ever since the first cave paintings, buildings have been objects or canvasses of much artistic expression. In recent years, interest in sustainable planning and building practices has become an intentional part of the design process of many new buildings and other structures, usually green buildings.