Craft
Craft has three potential meanings:
- a small boat or vessel,
- to craft, make or build something and
- to be crafty or sneaky.
The word 'Craft' comes from the Middle English word for 'strength' or 'skill' which in turn derived from the old English word craeft from old high German kraft, or strength, and means “skill in planning, making, executing” by extension, “an occupation or trade requiring skill”.
In terms buildings the most relevant meaning comes from an old English word cræftan "to exercise a craft; to build" or to make something "skilfully" from the early 15C. The description craft might also be associated with the Guild of Mastercraftsmen, or with the Arts and Crafts movement which developed in Britain in the 19th Century and spread across America and Europe before it reaching.
Today craft is often still used to express precision or skill in the traditional sense of building.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.