The Art Of Building
Man’s earliest structures protected him from the weather, from wild animals or from the attacks of other men. Since that time the art of building has changed greatly. Now we are living in the age of machinery, of scientific achievements, of the discovery of new sources of power and new materials. The three main materials are concrete, together with ferro-concrete (or reinforced concrete), steel and new kind of glass.
Constructions that were not possible to be built before can be permitted with the help of these materials. Modern architecture is mainly the architecture of steel and concrete. The use of steel framework has made it possible to build tall buildings. The walls that no longer have to support the structure can be of any kind of material. It is possible to build a factory in which the walls are made of any shape we like. The roofs may be flat.
Changes in the interior of buildings have also been made. Electric light, central heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration have been installed. Our homes have become much more comfortable that the homes in the past.
Vocabulary to protect - защищать
achievement - достижения
reinforced concrete - железобетон
construction - (зд.) конструкция, сооружение
to permit - позволять, разрешать
framework - каркас, основа
to support - поддерживать
flat - плоский
Interior - внутренний
II. Make up your own sentences with the vocabulary given above
III. Answer the questions
Has the art of building changed greatly for the early times?
What age are we living in now?
What are the three main materials used in construction now?
What is modern architecture now?
Is it possible to build a factory in which the walls are made of any shape we like?
What form can a roof have now?
What changes have been made in the interior of houses?
IV. Make up a dialogue with your group mate on the topic “The Art Of Building” using one of the following situations:
The art of building has changed greatly
Modern architecture is mainly the architecture of steel and concrete
Our homes have become much more comfortable that the homes in the past.
***
I. Read and translate the text
High scale of Construction
Construction is growing from year to year in our country. This requires the use of new building methods and new building materials, which play a very important role in the work of architects and builders.
They help to develop modern architecture, speed up construction work and decrease its cost. We are now building thousand of new blocks of flats, schools, hospitals and a large number of industrial enterprises.
A great percentage of the houses are constructed by house building plants. This building method is successfully applied in different cities and towns. Millions of people get new flats and houses every year. The newly built blocks of flats have all modern conveniences, making our life more comfortable.
Vocabulary
construction -(зд.) строительство
to speed up - ускорять
to decrease - уменьшать