Book excerpt: Constant technological advancements are opening up dramatic new possibilities for the built form; at the same time architects are developing innovative designs which require new techniques to make these ideas reality. The Encyclopedia of Architectural Technology is the first book to specifically address these two issues by providing a comprehensive reference to modern architectural technologies, encompassing all key aspects of construction, structures, environmental design and servicing. The Encyclopaedia features over 180 entries ranging from materials and techniques to notable innovators in architecture and engineering. Each entry includes a brief quick-reference summary followed by a more detailed text and suggestions for further reading. Besides technological terms, entries are included on related topics such as sick building syndrome and sustainability. Key engineers Ove Arup and Ted Happold have dedicated entries, as do a range of ground-breaking architects such as Le Corbusier, Norman Foster, Walter Gropius, Herzog & de Meuron, Oscar Niemeyer, Richard Rogers, Carlo Scarpa, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ken Yeang and many others.