Providing a comprehensive examination of the role of materials and their technology in determining the structure, overall form and quality of buildings, this text considers the choice of materials for adequate performance and sensitivity in terms of the energy implications in their manufacture and processing.

Materials Technology clearly identifies materials and technology as the fundamental generators of buildings and examines how they determine the structure, overall form and quality. It examines the issues that determine the choice of materials, and argues that the decision-making of architects, engineers and designers should take account of the environmental impact of sourcing the basic materials, and of the energy implications of their processing and use in manufacturing. Materials Technology is an essential resource for Materials Technology units in building, architecture and surveying degree and postgraduate courses; and students of BTEC HNC/D building and surveying. It will also be a useful reference tool for Advanced GNVQ Construction and the Built Environment courses and Built Environment NVQs at levels 3 and 4.