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 materials. 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.
... 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
