Book excerpt: Many books have covered the topics of architecture, materials and technology. 'New Architecture and Technology' is the first to explore the interrelation between these three subjects. It illustrates the impact of modern technology and materials on architecture. The book explores the technical progress of building showing how developments, both past and present, are influenced by design methods. It provides a survey of contemporary architecture, as affected by construction technology. It also explores aspects of building technology within the context of general industrial, social and economic developments. The reader will acquire a vocabulary covering the entire range of structure types and learn a new approach to understanding the development of design.