Designing buildings and physical environments depends on social structure, social needs, economic data, environment, and technological development. Planning these environments is heavily influenced by cultural and regional need, the existing environment, and the materials available. This title is an essential reference source that discusses the shaping of building design through culture and materials as well as the influence of environment on building design. Featuring research on topics such as passive design, ecological design, and urban design, this book is ideal for academicians, specialists, and researchers seeking coverage on culture, environment, and building design.