Lorraine Farrelly co-ordinates architecture and interior design courses at the University of Portsmouth. She has lectured and taught at universities around the world, and presented her research on architecture and the European city at conferences internationally. She has written several books and articles about contemporary architecture and interior design.

Inspiring, well illustrated and relevant to the academic curricula.

• Introduction. How to get the most out of this book. Brick and stone: Timeline: brick and stone; Origins and chronology; Cultural and material context; Application; Grand master: Antonio Gaudi; Woolf Architects: Brick Leaf House; Eric Parry Architects: 30 Finsbury Square. Concrete: Timeline: Concrete; Origins and chronology; Cultural and material context; Application; Grand master: Tadao Ando; Zaha Hadid: The Central Building; Axel Schultes and Charlotte Frank: Baumschulenweg Crematorium. Timber: Timeline: Timber; Origins and chronology; Cultural and material context; Application; Grand master: Edward Cullinan; Sean Godsell: The Carter/Tucker House; Glenn Howells Architects: The Savill Building. Glass and steel: Timeline: Glass and steel; Origins and chronology; Cultural and material context; Application; Grand master: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; Foster + Partners: The McLaren Technology Centre; Grimshaw Architects: Fundacion Caixa Galicia. Composite materials: Timeline: Composite materials; Origins and chronology; Cultural and material context; Application; Grand master: Charles Eames; Stanton Williams Architects: House of Fraser, Bristol; dRMM: The Kingsdale School. Innovation, sustainability and the future: Directions; Innovation; Sustainability; The future. Conclusion. Samples panel. Glossary and picture credits. Acknowledgements.