Understanding the relationship between design and technology is crucial for comprehending architecture itself. This book offers an introductory approach to all levels of architectural technology: the physics of construction, structural elements and their forms, heating, lighting, environmental control, and digital modeling.

It attempts to explain the relationships between physical phenomena, materials, building elements, and structural types, using simple classification systems and real-world examples. Additionally, it explores modern computer techniques that help students predict the structural and environmental behavior of buildings.

Finally, it uses historical precedents to explain how the success of a technology is directly related to the cultural context of society.