Architectural Research Guide

Reference Sources provide a good way to start your research. Or, they may provide a quick way to find specific information.

The Reference collection is located behind the Circulation Desk. The Reference collection containts dictionaries, encyclopedias and some bibliographical tools. Please feel free to browse the reference books. In addition, some reference sources are also available online. Below, some of the more important, well-used Reference materials are described.

A directory of 18,000 U.S. architectural firms arranged by state. Profile is useful for finding basic information (address, phone number, etc.) of a firm as well as in identifying firms by specialty, size, location, number of years in practice, key personnel, and work experience. Each listing includes information on the firm's size, scope, and focus. Also included are photographs and renderings of firms' current projects.

Contemporary Architects. ed. Muriel Emanuel. 3rd. ed. New York: St. James Press, 1994.
NA680 .C625 1994

Directory of contemporary architects including architects, engineers, theorists, and landscape architects who have influenced the course of Architecture within the 20th century. Each entry includes biographical details of the architect or partnership, listings of works and projects, major exhibitions, publications by the entrants, a statement by the architect (when provided), and an evaluative essay by an architectural historian or academic. Illustrations are provided for some, but not all, entries. The directory is arranged by architect's last name.

International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture. ed. Randall J. Van Vynckt. 2 vol. Detroit: St. James Press, 1993.
NA 40 .I48 1993 v.1-2

Divided into two volumes, Architects and Architecture, this directory lists some of the most prominent architects, buildings, and sites in Western architectural history. The Architects volume is arranged alphabetically and the Architecture volume is arranged geographically. Entries contain head notes such as biographical information and date of construction, bibliographic citations, signed critical essays, and illustrations. There are also three indexes, Geographic, Building, and Architect, to aid users in finding information.

Architectural Graphic Standards. ed. John Ray Hoke, Jr. 10th. ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
TH2031 .R35 2000

Filled with excellent illustrations, this source specifies the latest changes in building methods, standards, regulations, and materials.

Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data. ed. Donald Watson. 7th. ed. New York: McGraw-Hill , 1997.
TH151 .T55 1997

A useful tool for quickly finding data on structural design, building materials, building components, building techniques, information on environmental control, and information on metric units in building.

Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1991.
NK2110 .D35 1991

Replete with illustrations, this tool is a valuable source for quickly locating information dealing with planning, design, and detailing of interior spaces. Information on residential, office, hospitality, and retail spaces is included as well as information on construction details and finishes, architectural woodwork, and some general reference data such as space planning and mathematical formulas.

Time-Saver Standards for Building Types. 3rd. ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1990.
NA2760 .D42 1990

Contains information on various building types including residential, educational, cultural, health, religious, governmental, commercial, transportation, industrial, and recreation and entertainment.

World Architecture Index: A Guide to Illustrations. New York: Greenwood Press, 1991.
NA202 .T4 1991

A good shortcut to finding plans, elevations and other illustrations of buildings, this guide is an index to core architectural books and provides information on a variety of architectural, engineering, and planning works. It covers most historical time periods. A site index, an architect index, and a work index are provided and information is given listing whether exterior or interior views, plans, sections, and elevations are provided in the indexed books.

Grove Dictionary of Art Online (access through ALADIN, listed under Electronic Resources & Collections).

This online searchable version of the 34 volume seminal reference work the Dictionary of Art provides signed articles by noted scholars with excellent bibliographies. A useful tool for both Art and Architectural history.

Sweet's Catalog Files. McGraw-Hill Companies, 2000. TH455.S85 (E/A/M Library Reading Room)
Also available online at http://www.sweets.com/

Thomas Register. 90th ed. New York : Thomas Pub. Co., 2000. T12.T46 (E/A/M Library Reading Room)
Also available online at http://www.thomasregister.com/

Provides product and directory information for manufacturers. Company profiles may include contact information, URL, asset ratings, and company officials.

Web sources

Architectural webpages are often interesting places to do research. However, if you are looking for a scholarly treatment of a subject, or very good illustrations, plans, sections, elevations and drawings, it is usually best to look for journal articles and books about your topic.

The web pages listed below are some of the more useful and reliable sources for architectural research.

From the website: "Abacus Construction Index brings together in one place recommended sources of information and advice about architecture and construction in the USA and the UK. It incorporates Archinet UK. The website is a professionally edited directory, and does not accept payment from websites which are included. It is financed entirely from Google Adsense advertisements, which are clearly identified."

A searchable database of over 2000 Art- and Architecture-related Internet sites selected and evaluated by a consortium of British university librarians. This site is particularly strong in information on architects and architecture in the UK.

The home page of the AIA is a good source for professional information. Browse the AIA Bookstore or Career Center. Also, the e-architect feature provides employment and resume information as well as news in the field.

An online index to the publications of the American Planning Association including : Planning Magazine, Land Use and Zoning Digest, Zoning News, PAS Memo/Public Investment, The New Planner, Journal of the American Planning Association, Jobmart, The Commissioner, AICP Planners' Casebook, and ResourcesZine. Users may also search the publications by keyword, title, or author.

A comprehensive web index, provided by the University of Nevada Las Vegas Libraries, with links to web sites, databases, electronic publications, reference tools, discussion groups, architects' home pages, and more. Subjects covered include : Architecture, Building and Construction, Design, Housing, Planning, Preservation, Facility Management, Energy and the Environment, and Landscape Architecture.

From the U.S. Department of Energy; contains principles, codes/ordinances, and articles on Alternative Building Techniques, Green Buildings, and Affordable Housing.

An "urban planning portal," this site provides access to urban planning web links, bulletin boards, forums, and a gallery. A good resource for demographics, land use and zoning, urban design, and more.

A database of images and descriptions of a thousand historical and modern buildings and hundreds of architects. Images and descriptions accessible by browsing or searching by location, architect, or building name. Each entry includes a description, commentary, a bibliography, and, where possible, web links of works relating to each building. Many entries have photographs, pictures of models, or plans, as well.

Provided by the New York Public Library, this informative guide provides information on how to begin to research an architectural structure. Bibliographies, reference titles, and research strategies by name of building, architect, or type of building are provided.

The homepage of R.S. Means, a publisher of building codes and cost estimators. Requires free registration. Provides links to the Building Quick Cost Calculator, Building Custom Cost Estimator, and the Construction Dictionary Online.

Need a hand finding information, or just want to learn more about research in the Engineering/Architecture and Math Library? Contact us at 202-319-5167.

Architectural Research Guide

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