A vast range of materials is used by the building industry, and students of architecture and building need to understand the chemical and physical properties they will use. This knowledge of material properties is usually developed alongside the teaching of building construction methods. This book adopts a design-oriented approach to building materials. All common and some uncommon materials are covered in detail, with full descriptions of their properties and use. Issues of visual design and environmental design are introduced in the text, and case-studies are included throughout.