In this book, the reader is exposed to the integrated building concept through the exposition of theory, and the presentation of individual case studies. The case studies are organized into seven categories: Laboratories, Offices, Airport Terminals, Pavilions, Residential Architecture, High Tech Architecture, and Green Architecture.

The author states, "What gravity is to structure...ecology is to Green." Through the case studies, icons of modern architecture, located all over the planet, are examined via an analysis of their systems. Through this vehicle, the reader learns from the masters.

Each case study starts with a project description accompanied by a fact sheet. Program is broken down into client, brief, site, and climate. The case studies are enriched with biographical information on the individual architects. The analyses continue with details of intent, critical technical issues, etc., and conclude with a discussion of the success of the different aspects of the project.

To quote the author, "this book shows how case studies can be used to understand the integration of building systems and how inquiry into integration contributes to architectural success."

A mastery of the concepts in Leonard Bachman's book can arm the architect with valid thought processes to free his/her design intuition from the constraints prevalent in early 21st century construction management.

This book serves both as a reminder of ancient regional responses to climate and site, and a preparation for understanding the symbiotic building technologies now being built by world class practitioners.