Text 2. Types of Buildings

Match the following words and translations.

(1) Types of buildings depend upon social functions and may be classified according to the role in the community. The types of buildings may be domestic, educational, office, industrial, recreational, etc. The common and necessary conditions are:

(a) its suitability to use by human beings in general and its adaptability to particular human activities;

(b) the stability and permanence of its construction.

(2) Speaking of residential construction we must say that the apartment houses are mostly built to suit urban conditions. Group housing provides home for many families and is at once public and private. The techniques of construction or the methods by which structures are formed from particular materials are influenced not only by the availability and character of: materials but also by the total technological development of society.

(3)The techniques evolution is conditioned by two factors; one is economic – the search for a maximum of building stability and durability with a minimum of materials, labour and time; the other is expressive – the desire to produce meaningful form.

(4) Large housing programmers have tended to stimulate technological change in the building industry. Modular design (design in which the elements are dimensioned in combinations of a fixed unit) has led to standardization of elements, interchangeability of parts and increased possibilities for mass production, with resultant economies. Entire apartment assemblages are available and are being used to an increasing; extent. These techniques aim at a higher output of better structures at lower cost.

(5) The high degree of mechanization and standardization is successfully achieved by reinforced concrete blocks and units. Reinforced concrete homes are produced by a variety of construction methods. Various methods of constructing reinforced concrete houses involve extensive use of large sections manufactured in heavily mechanized factories and erected at the site.

(6) The built-in space of an apartment should be thought of as well. There is a considerable trend toward built-in furniture. Rooms should be both efficient and visually satisfying. The extent of built-in cabinets must be determined. Drawers and shelves can often be concealed behind walls, freeing valuable floor space.

1. Find the correct headings of the paragraphs.

1. The total technological development of society influences the techniques of residential construction.

2. The interior of a modern residential building.

3. Technological changes and new techniques in the building industry.

2. Read the following sentences and decide what sentence expresses the main idea of the text.

1. Great technological advances in plumbing and ventilating systems.

2. The types of walls of concrete structures.

3. The types of exterior concrete surface.

4. Classification of buildings according to their functions, building techniques and factors affecting the latter.

3. Find the correct endings to the following statements according to the text.

1. Types of buildings depend upon social factors because .……………………….

2. Large housing programmers have tended to stimulate technological change in the building industry because .……………………….

3. Entire apartment, assemblages are used to an increasing extent since .…………

4. There is a considerable trend toward built-in furniture because .………………..

4. Choose the one best answer A, B, C to the statements.

1. Various methods of constructing reinforced concrete houses involve...

a) craft operations at the building site.

b) building materials, labour and time.

c) extensive use of large sections manufactured in heavily mechanized factories.

2. Types of buildings depend upon...

a) the availability and character of materials.

b) increased possibilities for mass production.

c)social functions in the society.

3. The high degree of mechanization and standardization is achieved by...

a) reinforced concrete blocks and units.

b) technological change in the building industry.

c) craft operations at the building site.