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Locating information about architects or buildings
This information can be found in a variety of locations.
The EDFAA reference collection
The specialised dictionaries and encyclopedias in the EDFAA Reference Collection can provide you with definitions and introductiory information. Some useful items include:
| International dictionary of architects and architecture | R720.9 1993 INT |
| Sir Banister Fletcher's history of architecture | R720.9 1996 SIR |
| American Institute of Architects' encyclopedia of architecture |
R720 1988 ENC |
| The dictionary of art | R703 1996 DIC |
| Contemporary architects | R720.922 1994 1989 PIC |
| A pictorial guide to identifying Australian architecture | R720.994 1989 PIC |
| Dictionary of Architectural and Building Technology | R720.3 2004 |
| Encyclopedia of vernacular architecture of the world | R721 1997 ENC |
Books
To find books about an architect in the UWA Library begin with a keyword search in the Library Catalogue. As you are browsing through the list of books, look at the Subject Headings listed in each catalogue entry. Click on the links to relevant Subject Headings.
Search other university library catalogues on the UWA Library Web site. The State Library of Western Australia holds and extensive collection of local materials, some of which can be accessed online.
Journal articles
To find journal articles about an architect or building you will need to look in sources that index journal articles by subject. These indexes are available via SuperSearch on the UWA Library home page.
The EDFAA Reference Librarian can advise you on choosing the appropriate indexes for you assignment topic and provide instruction on using indexes. Some useful indexes include:
| Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals | Covers architecture in its broadest sense including archaeology, historic preservation, decorative arts, interior decoration, furniture, landscape architecture and urban planning and environmental studies. |
| Australian Architecture Database (ARCH) | Indexes articles from materials held by the Stanton Library, North Sydney council. Subject coverage includes articles on Australian architects, architecture, building, interior design and landscape architecture |
| Architectural Publications Index (API) | Published version of the RIBA British Architectural Library's own subject index of articles in 400 of the world's architectural periodicals. It includes book accessions. It is available from the Library's catalogue. |
| Bibliography of the History of Art | Contains references to journal articles, conference proceedings and dissertations, exhibition an dealers' catalogues. Covers painting, sculpture, drawing, prints, architecture, decorative and applied arts, crafts, graphic arts, and folk and popular art. |
| Wilson Art Full Text |
Indexes over 380 art periodicals and contains full text from 108 journals going back to 1997. Subjects include architecture, archaeology and the history of art, as well as crafts, costume and textiles. |
To locate the articles, click on Find it Button against each entry or check the journal title in the catalogue.
Internet resources
There are Internet resources that can provide you information about architects or buildings. In particular, the Internet can be a useful resources for finding information about current projects. Remember you must evaluate the quality, relevance and reliability of any information you find on the World Wide Web.
Locating Plans and Images of Buildings
This information can be found in a variety of places.
Books and journal articles often contain images or plans of a building.
You may be able to locate images or plans of a building on the Internet, in Grove Art Online and Great Buildings Collection.
You may be able to locate an image of a building in the EDFAA Library Individual Slide collection. This collection consists of approximately 50,000 Art, Architecture and Archaeology slides covering the period from prehistory to the present. For more information see the guide Individual Slide collection - EDFAA Library.
Professional Resources
Advisory notes/Royal Australian Institute of Architects, practice services
A collection of practice and advisory notes for practicing architects. It is available on CD-ROM Ask at the EDFAA Inquiry desk.
Australian Standards/Standards Association of Australia
Provides the full text of all standards produced by Standards Australia. It is available on the Library Web site.
Building Code of Australia online
Full text of the Building Code of Australian 1996, vols 1 & 2. You can search by keyword. It is available on Library Web site.
BDP Environment Design Guide
A comprehensive online source of information on environmental issues tailored to the needs of Australia's building design professionals. It is available on Library Web site.
Neuferts architects' data
This is an essential reference for the initial design and planning of a building project. It is available in the EDFAA Reference Collection at R721.0212.2000 ARC.
If you need more information or assistance please contact the EDFAA Reference Librarian (6488 1962)
