Contents -- Introduction -- First principles -- Sustainability and sizing -- Communicating information -- Chapter One: Existing Walls -- Basic principles -- Loadbearing walls -- Masonry -- Creating openings in loadbearing walls -- Moisture ingress -- Lining external walls -- Non-loadbearing walls -- Chapter Two: New Walls -- Basic principles -- Stud partitions -- Constructing stud partitions -- Joints in gypsum-board sheets -- Step by step: Finishing drywall stud partitions -- Reinforcement of junctions in stud partitions -- Metal framing for stud partitions -- Conventional baseboards -- Alternative baseboards -- Conventional cornices -- Reveal cornices -- Soundproofing walls -- Fireproofing walls -- Fireproofing metal columns -- Installing services -- Chapter Three: Alternative Partitions -- Curving walls -- Building curves -- Freestanding walls -- "Floating" walls -- Base fixings for partitions -- Cladding isolated partitions -- Fixing methods -- Invisible fixings -- Glazed partitions -- Frames for glazed partitions -- Framing and beading -- Joining glass sheets -- Chapter Four: Doors -- Basic principles -- Modern detailing for doors -- Sliding doors -- Transoms -- Glass in doors -- Non-standard doors -- Fire regulations for doors -- Chapter Five: Floors -- Solid first floors -- Suspended first floors -- Upper floors -- Wooden joists -- Wood rot -- Construction tips for wood -- Steel beams -- Planning new structures -- Installing mezzanines -- Raising the floor -- Openings in floors -- Floor finishes -- Finishing materials -- Other considerations -- Chapter Six: Ceilings -- Basic principles -- Suspended ceilings -- Angled and curved ceilings -- Proprietary ceiling systems -- Hanging methods for proprietary systems -- Other considerations -- Chapter Seven: Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment -- Basic principles -- Portable workshops.

Base structures -- Jointing techniques -- Decorative joints -- Joining sheet materials -- Step by step: Biscuit joining -- Veneers -- Edging veneers -- Aligning furniture edges -- Fabricating elements on-site: built-in seating -- Furniture legs -- "Floating" furniture -- Shelving -- Chapter Eight: Stairs -- Basic principles -- Wooden stairs -- Stone and concrete stairs -- Steel stairs -- Handrails and balustrades -- Cantilevered treads -- Spiral stairs -- Glass stairs -- Fire regulations -- Ramps, elevators, and escalators -- Chapter Nine: Materials -- Wood -- MDF -- Gypsum board -- Plywood -- Steel -- Aluminum -- Glass -- Acrylic -- Fixings -- Chapter Ten: Structural Principles -- Introduction -- Materials in compression and tension -- Orientation of structural elements -- Cantilevers -- Beams -- Stability -- Rule-of-thumb sizing -- Chapter Eleven: A to Z -- Glossary -- Resources -- Index -- Picture credits -- Acknowledgments.