Taking a fresh, holistic approach to the topic of architectural technology, this indispensable book looks at the 'why' as well as the 'how' of building science, providing a comprehensive, clear and concise introduction to the subject. The demands faced by architects in their training and education are constantly changing. Written by two practicing architects who teach building technology and design, this text ensures that the reader is given the full picture of the discipline, as it integrates technical material with design sensibilities. Incorporating structural design, environmental principles, material science and human factors, this book shows how these topics rely upon and influence one another in architectural design. It also relates the technical with the theoretical, illustrating how technology and design have influenced one another historically. Offering highly practical guidance to the essentials of building design, this book is the first to provide the full spectrum of building science for architects in one volume. Design-Tech includes hundreds of illustrations and numerous case studies that show how these theories work in practice