We are what we build and how we build; thus, the study of construction history is now more than ever at the centre of current debates as to the shape of a sustainable future for humankind. In this respect, History of Construction Cultures is a critical and indispensable work that expands our understanding of the ways in which everyday building activities have been perceived and experienced in different cultures, from ancient times to our century and all over the world.
History of Construction Cultures brings together the presentations given at the 7ICCH – Seventh International Congress on Construction History broadcast live from Lisbon, Portugal on 12–16 July 2021. The 7ICCH was organized by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Estudos de História da Construção (Portuguese Society for Construction History Studies – SPEHC); the Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon; its Research Centre (CIAUD); and the College of Social and Human Sciences of the NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA FCSH).
The contributions cover the wide interdisciplinary spectrum of Construction History and the most recent advances in theory and practical case studies analysis, following themes such as: cultural translation; epistemological issues; building actors; building materials; building machines, tools and equipment; construction processes; building services and techniques; structural theory and analysis; political, social and economic aspects; knowledge transfer and cultural translation of construction cultures. The papers presented at thematic sessions aimed to address important issues, historical periods and different regions of the globe, opening new directions for Construction History research.
History of Construction Cultures will be of great interest to scholars and students, historians, architects, engineers, contractors and professionals who want to know more about the problems involved in the millennia-old human activity of building, practised in the most diverse cultures of the world.