The building systems related to plumbing, electricity, acoustics, fire protection and vertical transportation are critical to almost every building, and essential for the architect to understand. The detailed guide makes these topics simpler, providing complete coverage of topics that include issues of water conservation, non-traditional sanitary and storm water drainage systems, and the energy impact of a building's transportation systems. Organized in Lechner's straightforward style, each chapter starts with a short historic overview, followed by an explanation of basic concepts, along with numerous guidelines help the architect's decision making.