Written by an author team with decades of experience in architecture, building construction, engineering, and teaching, Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems is a comprehensive, fully illustrated introduction to construction methods and materials. This book was developed and designed for use as both a student text and a¨s an indispensable professional reference. The book's unique organization allows for an unparalleled exploration of building construction: Principles of Construction are covered in Part 1, and Materials and Systems are covered in Part 2.