Buildings are essentially social and cultural products. They result from social needs and accommodate a variety of functions - economic. social. political. religious. Their size. appearance. location and form result not simply from physical factors such as mat erials. climate or technology. nor from architects* designs. but from a society's ideas. its forms of economic and social organisation. and the beliefs and values which prevail at any one time. Society produces its buildings and the buildings help to maintain many of its social forms.

About the Author
Anthony D King is Associate Senior Research fellow in Sociology and Environmental Studies at Brunel University. He has previously held research and teaching posts at the Universities of Leicester, London. Washington, South Carolina and the Indian Institute of Technology at Delhi, where he was Visiting Professor in Social Sciences

Reviews

... A fascinating book ...' - Sean French, The Sunday Times

`This is a book I eagerly recommend to others, assign in courses, and use in myown research. It is a fine collection of illustrated essays on the social history of designed environments.' - Karen A. Franck, Contemporary Sociology

Book Information
ISBN 9780710202345
Author Anthony D. King
Format Paperback
Page Count 328
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 680g