Book: Design and Construction: Building in Value by Rick Best

This is the second book in a series devoted to the concept of value in buildings, and how those who involved in building procurement may ultimately produce buildings that represent the best ‘value-for-money’ outcomes. Like its precursor, Building in Value: Predesign Issues, it is intended both for students in construction- and property-related courses at the tertiary level and as a useful resource for industry professionals: property developers, project managers and cost engineers among others.
Once again a wide range of topics have been included, however, the design and construction of buildings is a broad and complex area and no single book could cover all the relevant areas. Once again, though, it brings together in one volume an introduction to many of the parts of the building procurement process that make up the design and construction phase. The reference and bibliography lists at the end of each chapter point readers to a wealth of related material and will thus facilitate in-depth self-directed study of selected topics, while the editorial comments that precede most of the chapters tie the content of individual chapters to the central theme of ‘building in value’.
The book is broken into three parts: the first is a review of recent trends and changes in building procurement, the second examines specific functional and procedural issues, while the third looks to the future and examines some of the innovations that are emerging in areas such as the production of ‘space age’ materials, automation of the construction process and new methods of space conditioning.
Contributions have come from many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the USA, England, Scotland and Finland, and the authors once again include academics and practitioners. The first book in the series has been a success as it gives readers a convenient onevolume reference that provides a basic but solid grounding in the topic areas covered by the various authors. We believe that this book will serve a similar purpose and hope that students and professionals will find it equally useful.

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