Cracking the Codes : An Architect's Guide to Building Regulations

Unleash the design potential in codes

Building codes and standards are often seen as obstacles to design excellence. Not any more! With the help of this down-to-earth guide, architecture professionals and students can stop dreading these rules and start using them to their advantage.

Cracking the Codes makes codes and standards accessible by promoting a sound understanding of regulatory issues —without getting caught up in the minutiae. The book works the way projects do, moving through each stage of the planning process to identify and consolidate the basic regulatory requirements that must be addressed at every step along the way. It equips readers not only to recognize issues that call for regulatory research and to work effectively with appropriate consultants, but also to suggest strategic directions that are compatible with regulatory requirements and to make informed decisions in response to consultants' advice.

In addition to the model building codes, including the forthcoming International Building Code, this book covers zoning ordinances and covenants, as well as rules related to accessibility, historic preservation, environmental quality, consumer protection, and a host of other critical issues. Information is extensively cross-referenced to make topics simple to find, and the uniform methodology applied to each regulatory issue makes the book both easy to follow and design-friendly.

No project team should ever be held hostage by lack of familiarity with codes and standards. Cracking the Codes gives architects the freedom they need to break the rules without breaking the regulations.

BARRY D. YATT, AIA, is an associate professor of construction technology and practice management in the School of Architecture and Planning at The Catholic University of America. He brings two decades of experience as a practicing architect and educator to this effort.