Introduction to Architecture and Building Design Technology - Lesson 2: An Overview of the Construction Industry

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, construction industry sectors, project constraints, phases, and delivery methods.

Construction (Ralph Liebing Definition)

The industry responsible for the work which has been and is still being done to develop the surface of the earth to meet civilization's needs.

Residential Construction

The sector of construction that refers to the process of building, remodeling, or repairing structures primarily intended for people to live in, such as single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Commercial Construction

A sub-sector of non-residential construction that involves building and maintaining facilities designed for business and commerce, such as retail stores, office buildings, warehouses, and hotels.

Institutional Construction

A sub-sector of non-residential construction that includes building public and social facilities such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, prisons, churches, and sports arenas.

Heavy/Civil Construction

Also known as horizontal construction, this sub-sector focuses on large-scale public infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, railways, dams, and water treatment plants.

Industrial Construction

A highly specialized sector of construction that focuses on building large-scale, complex facilities used for manufacturing, processing, production, and distribution, such as petroleum refineries and power plants.

Horizontal Construction

Another term for heavy/civil construction, referring to large-scale infrastructure projects that require specialized heavy equipment, engineering, and geological expertise.

Project Management Triangle (Triple Constraint)

A framework illustrating the three interdependent constraints that must be managed effectively to ensure project quality and success: Scope, Time, and Cost.

Conception Phase

The initial phase of a construction project, usually initiated by the client, involving feasibility studies, site surveys, preliminary scoping, budgeting, and securing regulatory approvals.

Design-Build Method

A project delivery method where the owner contracts with a single team (often a joint entity of a construction firm and design firm) to oversee both project design and construction.

Design-Bid-Build Method

A traditional project delivery method involving two separate steps: first hiring an architectural/design firm to create plans, and then accepting competitive contractor bids to select a construction firm.

Design Phase

The stage in a construction project that transforms the client's vision and requirements into detailed architectural and engineering plans, drawings, and specifications.

Pre-construction Phase

The stage encompassing all project planning, site surveys, design development, permitting, budgeting, scheduling, and risk assessment that occurs before physical construction begins.

Procurement Phase

The phase dedicated to sourcing all necessary resources, including bidding and tendering, contractor and subcontractor selection, finalizing supplier agreements, and mobilization planning.

Construction Phase

The core execution stage where physical building takes place, including site preparation, structural framing, MEP system installation, interior and exterior finishes, quality testing, and safety enforcement.

Post-Construction & Closure Phase

The final stage of a project involving site demobilization, compilation of as-built drawings and warranties, system commissioning, final inspections, owner training, and project evaluation.

Turnkey Contract

A contractual arrangement common in industrial construction where a single design-constructor is responsible for complete facility design and construction, handing over a fully operational facility to the owner.