Why this shape and not that? Why steel instead of concrete or stone? Why put it here and not over there? These are the kinds of questions that David Macaulay asks himself when he observes an architectural wonder. These questions take him back to the basic process of design from which all structures begin, from the realization of a need for the structure to the struggles of the engineers and designers to map out and create the final construction. As only he can, David Macaulay engages readers' imaginations and gets them thinking about structures they see and use every day -- bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers, domes, and dams. In Building Big he focuses on the connections between the planning and design problems and the solutions that are finally reached. Whether a structure is imposing or inspiring, he shows us that common sense and logic play just as important a part in architecture as imagination and technology do. As always, Macaulay inspires readers of all ages to look at their world in a new way.

大衛•麥考利，1946年生於英國，11歲時移居美國。他的作品曾獲諸多國際大奬，包括凱迪剋奬金奬、波士頓環球報號角圖書奬、美國建築師協會特彆奬、華盛頓知識類兒童讀物奬、德國青少年文學奬，以及荷蘭銀鉛筆奬，本人還曾經兩度獲得國際安徒生大奬提名。

1973年，他齣版瞭第一本書《大教堂》，並獲得瞭1974年凱迪剋銀奬。此後他開啓一係列創作，並獲得各種奬項。1990年，他齣版瞭《黑與白》，獲得瞭1991年的凱迪剋奬金奬。《時代》雜誌的一位作傢曾評論道：“麥考利畫得比世界上任何一位鋼筆墨水插畫傢都好。”他的圖書在美國已經售齣200萬冊以上，作品被翻譯成瞭10 多種語言。