From the course: Architectural Materials: Designing for Excellence and Sustainability
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A history of building materials
From the course: Architectural Materials: Designing for Excellence and Sustainability
A history of building materials
- Our journey begins in ancient times when humans first began constructing shelters. Back then, primitive materials, like wood, stone, and animal skins, were used to create simple huts and caves. And as civilizations began to flourish, new materials were discovered. In ancient Egypt, the advent of mud bricks revolutionized construction. These bricks, made from a mixture of mud, straw, and water, were dried in the sun and used to build pyramids and temples. Mud bricks were not only abundant and economical, but also provided excellent thermal insulation in hot arid climates. In ancient Greece and Rome, builders harnessed the strength of stone and marble. The Romans used materials, like travertine, limestone, and concrete, by mixing volcanic ash with lime and water. These innovations and materials were a cornerstone of ancient construction, and left a lasting legacy that endures even today. As we travel forward in time,…
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