This Fourth Edition of the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction defines more terms in architecture and building construction than any other dictionary in the English language. Because there have been significant changes, advances, and new developments in building materials and services, construction techniques, engineering practices, specifications writing, environmental concerns, community regulations, legal requirements, and other areas over the last decade, a total of 2500 new terms, as well as 100 new illustrations, have been added to this edition. This coverage provides an up-to-date working tool for practicing professionals in the many fields and numerous trades related to architecture and construction, as well as an invaluable resource for conservationists, planners, architectural historians,

and students.

The Dictionary is designed to be comprehensive in scope. Its range spans terms encountered in the practice of architecture from Classical to green, from traditional materials to the latest products, from precise definitions of architectural styles to the particulars of specifications writing. Many of the new terms are associated with major expansions in the field of building services, including air-conditioning systems, electrical supply systems, gas supply services, illumination engineering, noise control engineering, vertical transportation systems, security services, and waste disposal, water supply, and fire protection systems. Other definitions pertain to environmental concerns, conservation, building preservation, community regulations, and recent applications of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Equivalent values in Standard International units are given for U.S. Customary units.