Digital Building

Alan Day's book provides an overview of the process of change within the construction industry brought about by the introduction of computers. He introduces architects and construction professionals to what computers can do, how they are currently being used within the industry and the likely implications for the future.

The focus of his book is how to use the tools that already exist in new ways.

Although there are some books on computer hardware and software, and others on management issues, there is none that brings the two together as this book does. To show the issues surrounding the use of computers in construction, Alan Day includes a number of case studies from Europe and North America which represent the most advanced use of computers or show likely directions for the development of computerisation in the coming years. Although the influence of computers has gradually spread to all aspects of the design and construction process their impact has been less than expected as their use has been limited to the automation of existing tasks within separate firms. Achieving the benefits that computers can offer requires radical changes to the organisation of the industry as a whole and its currently fragmented structure makes this difficult to achieve in practice. This needs to change as increasing international competition and the need to reduce costs, and increase the quality of buildings, forces firms to look critically at their working methods.

This is a practical book which will help construction firms gain competitive advantage

Gives a fresh approach to computer capabilities