Now in its Fifth Edition, this essential textbook has been used by thousands of students annually in schools of architecture, engineering, and construction technology. The bestselling reference focuses on the basic materials and methods used in building construction, emphasizing common construction systems such as light wood frames, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, and reinforced concrete. New introductory material on the processes, organization, constraints, and choices in construction offers a better look at the management of construction. New sections covering the building envelope uncover the secrets to designing enclosures for thermal insulation, vapor retarders, air barriers, and moisture control. The Fifth Edition also features more axonometric detail drawings and revised photographs for a thoroughly illustrated approach and the latest IBC 2006, CSI MasterFormat, ASTM references, and LEED information.

Edward Allen, FAIA, has taught for more than thirty-five years as a faculty member at Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and as an invited guest at institutions in the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. He has designed more than fifty constructed buildings and is the bestselling coauthor of The Architect's Studio Companion, Architectural Detailing, Form and Forces, and Fundamentals of Residential Construction, all published by Wiley.

Joseph Iano is an author, illustrator, and practicing architect who has taught design and technology in schools of architecture throughout the United States, as well as work in the construction trades. He has collaborated with Edward Allen on numerous publications over a span of more than twenty-five years. Currently, he heads a Seattle firm that provides technical and quality management consult-ing to architects and others in the design and construction industry.