Book excerpt: If the 20th century was the age of the skyscraper, the 21st century belongs to the 'Big Shed' - colossal and highly engineered structures, such as sports arenas, airports and concert halls, that have become landmarks around the world. This spectacular volume is the first to tell the story of this important genre, in a geographically diverse set of locations, it will inform, delight and inspire architects, architectural students and anyone who simply wonders at these modern marvels of engineering.