Comprising seven comprehensive chapters, the second edition of Building Pathology: principles and practice by David S. Watt is a welcome addition to the book collection of both students and practitioners. The first edition of the book helped to define the domain of building pathology, making a complex subject accessible to a wide range of readers and bringing the term into widespread use. In particular, the interdisciplinary nature of the subject and the engaging writing of the author made the first edition very popular with students. The second edition is equally engaging and the inclusion of additional case study material further enhances the value of the book.

Both the principles and practice of building pathology - a methodical (forensic) investigation into building defects and associated remedial action - are clearly explained throughout the book, with plenty of practical guidance and advice. The first two chapters provide an introduction to building pathology and advice on how to understand the buildings around us, which set the context for the main thrust of the book. The central chapters 'building performance' (chapter 3), 'defects, damage and decay' (chapter 4) and 'survey and assessment' (chapter 5) collectively describe and illustrate how and why buildings respond to their environment, the link to effective architectural detailing and materials selection, and how to diagnose problems. The final two chapters are concerned with remediation and building management, putting the principles into practice, and they include the bulk of the case study material. Overall, the message is clear, the whole is clearly greater than the sum of the parts, and getting this understanding across to building owners and those responsible for diagnosing and adjusting our built environment, be it large scale work or minor alterations and repairs, is essential.

David S. Watt has produced a fine textbook, combining holistic thinking with clear practical advice, lucid writing and some lovely illustrations. Building Pathology continues to be essential reading for anyone interested in the conservation, maintenance, repair and alteration of our built environment. The book should also be read by those designing and detailing buildings in order to better understand the consequences of their decisions. As such the book should appeal to a wide range of readers in the built environment, especially building surveyors, architectural technologists and architects.

Reviewed by Professor Stephen Emmitt

Professor of Architectural Technology, Loughborough University