A liberally illustrated guide to the construction of tenement housing across Scotland from 1700 to 1915, with detailed information about the changing methods and materials used.

Numerous detailed drawings accompany the photographs, resulting in an attractive and accessible volume that is equally relevant as a maintenance guide or historical record with relevance beyond Scotland.

In the context of considerable social change, the book considers the drivers which underpinned improvements such as the risk from fire, dry rot, collapse due to coal mining and health problems - leading to the installation of bathrooms and kitchens.

This comprehensive book is also a plea for good maintenance of this important type of urban housing, particularly in the light of climate change and addresses how maintenance and insulation of tenements can be achieved.

This is an invaluable book for architects, builders, planners and students alike.

"..Overall, the written detail, sketches and photographs really bring the subject matter of this book to life – it allows the reader to see clearly how tenemental housing evolved differently across Scotland, often in response to regional availability of building materials. Yet this is more than just a book about design and construction. It goes beyond that to offer some thoughtful insights into Scotland’s urban history and the role of tenement-life within it..." Kim McKee, Housing Studies

John Gilbert was for many years an architect specialising in social housing and conservation and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling for his services to housing.