Library: Architecture & Civil Engineering: Search the literature

Library databases

These library databases act as indexes to many thousands of journals. Some include other types of information such as books, patents and conference papers.

Compendex via Engineering Village This link opens in a new window
Comprehensive engineering literature database - over 21 million records from 77 countries across 190 engineering disciplines. Coverage from 1884 onwards including journal, conference papers, and book series.

Video: Compendex - Numerical Search/Refine by Physical Property (6:05)

Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals This link opens in a new window
Search for articles from 325 current and 3,080 older architecture journals from around the world. This database includes more than 800,000 records covering architecture, city planning, conservation, interior design, sustainable design, landscape architecture and more. It also includes 20,000 citation records to architects' obituaries. Full-text from Country Life Archive (1897-2005) and Art and Architecture Archive (1895-2005) are available.

Avery LibGuide

RIBA Library Catalogue This link opens in a new window
An indispensable source of information on all aspects of architecture and the built environment, containing over 215,000 records. It provides details of individual articles held within the RIBA's journal collection, so you can use it as a database to find papers on your topic in our own collections.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Provides full-text articles for thousands of scholarly business journals, practitioner journals and trade magazines. Includes access to Harvard Business Review from 1922.
On EBSCO's platform it is possible to search a number of education indexes in combination with Business Source Complete, for example, British Education Index, ERIC and Education Source.
Construction Information Service (CIS) This link opens in a new window
Database of full-text technical and regulatory information for the construction industry, including Joint Contracts Tribunal contracts. Our subscription features almost 30,000 documents from 469 publishers. Most of this content is not indexed in our Library catalogue. See BSOL database for full text British Standards.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Access to the following JSTOR Collections: Arts & Sciences (I-VII, IX, XI-XII) and Life Sciences. JSTOR is a full-text journal archive in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.
Scopus This link opens in a new window
Index to journals and conference papers across all subject areas.
Web of Science Core Collection This link opens in a new window
Index to selected journals, conference papers and book series across all subject areas.
Web of Science Core Collection consists of the following databases:

Science Citation Index
Social Sciences Citation Index
Arts and Humanities Citation Index
Conference Proceedings Citation Index
Book Citation Index
Emerging Sources Citation Index
Current Chemical Reactions
Index Chemicus
Knowledge Workspace (OHSIS; Environmental Management; Specify It) This link opens in a new window
Select the Knowledge Workspace. Full text access to documents covering health, safety and environmental issues, as well as specifications. OHSIS covers current regulations, standards, guidance and best practice documents from many providers including the HSE, Cabinet Office and Government Departments.

Building projects databases

Detail Inspiration (Detail Magazine 1987-) This link opens in a new window
Search or browse more than 3,700 Detail Magazine building projects in English from 1987 onwards. For the more extensive German language content including original German PDFs, use the German language Detail database or print issues held on Level 3 of the Library at Per 72.
Detail Inspiration DE (Detail Zeitschrift 1962-) This link opens in a new window
Search or browse more than 5,700 original building projects from Detail magazine since 1962 (German language PDFs). Site navigation can be translated to English, for example, by using Google Chrome (right click then pick Translate to English), but keyword search in German only. The English language database contains the PDFs in English but not all issues have been translated or have an English equivalent.
Architects' Journal Buildings Library (AJBL) This link opens in a new window
Over 2,300 exemplar building projects (1900- current). Our subscription also provides access to AJ Online for selected magazine content.

ArquitecturaViva Map
AV's global map tool includes images and locations for over 3000 buildings. The map entries can be filtered by architect and/or city.

What if the Library does not have the materials you need?

Inter-library loans service
If you find references to books, journals, articles or other materials we either do not stock in print or subscribe to online, you can request these via our Inter-library loans service. If you haven't used the service before you will need to register.

Current journal issues

PressReader This link opens in a new window
PressReader provides unlimited access to 7,000 digital newspapers and magazines from 120 countries in 60 languages.

PressReader Guide

A-Z Architecture journals

Video: Exploring key first year architecture journals (11:57)

Finding and submitting dissertations and theses

Information about dissertations and theses

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new window
PQDT Global is the world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses.
It includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with more than a million full-text dissertations. The database offers full-text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. It also includes PQDT UK and Ireland content.

How to do a literature search

Library guide to How to do a literature search

archINFORM
This database for international architecture began life as a listing of interesting building projects by architecture students. It has since become the largest online database of worldwide architects and buildings from past to present. It concentrates on the architecture of the 20th Century. Information is provided in four languages, including English. Links to some full-text materials, journal websites, architectural practices and so on.
Designing Libraries
A database of descriptions and images of recent UK public library building projects.
Planning Architecture Design Database Ireland (PADDI)
Database covering all aspects of the built environment and environmental planning in Ireland, north and south.
Structurae
An international database and gallery of structures, this site provides information on works of structural engineering and architecture. It also includes references to published work.
TechXtra
TechXtra is a search interface providing access to freely available full-text content from articles, websites, theses and dissertations, books, industry news, new job announcements, technical reports, e-prints, learning and teaching resources and the latest research, in engineering, mathematics and computing.

BANES Planning
This link goes to the Bath and North East Somerset Council webpage for Local Planning Policy and documentation. This includes links to the Local Plan, Local Development Framework, Core Strategy and other documents.
BANES Transport Plans and Policies
General information, strategy and planning.
BRE (Building Research Establishment)
Information on all aspects of the BRE's work in Research, consultancy, certification and training. Includes access to BRE's magazine 'Constructing the future'.
ICE Virtual Library
Browse publications of the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers). The Library subscribes to several e-journals on this platform. These can also be found via our Library catalogue.
ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers)
The website of the Institution of Civil Engineers. News, meetings, publications, and access to the largest civil engineering and construction library in the UK.
International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC)
The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) is an international group representing the consulting engineering industry. FIDIC publishes contracts and business practice documents, and guidance on implementation. The site includes information on the federation's work, publications, meetings and events.
Magic
Interactive UK maps online with links to data. Content provided by a variety of government partners including Historic England, DEFRA and more.
RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)
Professional body for architects around the world, founded in 1834.

Barbour Product Search
From the publishers of the print Barbour Compendium this is a fully searchable database of products and suppliers for the construction industries. It includes images, case studies, technical data, catalogues, news and project data.
Building Conservation
Produced by the publishers of the Building Conservation Directory, this website gives information on products and services, courses and events, articles and book information on building conservation. Print copies of the Directory are held in the Library.
IHS Specify-it
Search a database of products, suppliers and manufacturers. Contains over 850,000 full-text catalog pages as well as data sheets and guides from UK suppliers.
NBS Source
Find and compare information on thousands of construction products and manufacturers. This platform combines data from NBS National BIM Library, NBS Plus and RIBA Product Selector.
SpecifiedBy.com
Free website for product information and data - search 4,000 products from around 300 manufacturers.

AHRnet Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Architects 1800-1950
The AHRnet Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Architects 1800-1950 includes approximately 3,000 entries extracted from the Art History Research net database Arts+Architecture ProFiles (A+AP).

2050 Materials
A platform where architects can find, compare and specify the most sustainable products on the market
Architecture & Design Scotland
Material Considerations - A library of sustainable building materials
ASBP Natural Fibre Insulation Group
The Natural Fibre Insulation Group (NFIG) is a collective of ASBP members who are the leading manufacturers and suppliers of natural fibre insulation in the UK.
Dataholz
Catalogue of wood and wood-based materials, building materials, components and component connections for timber construction covering thermal, acoustic, fire and ecological performance levels, released by accredited testing institutes.
Ecoplatform
EPD Database - Your access point to digital product data for Building and Construction LCA.
Envirodec
International EPD Database.
First Planit
Web platform for sourcing natural materials and comparing sustainability data.
GreenSpec
GreenSpec is the foremost ‘Green Building’ resource in the UK. GreenSpec promotes sustainable building products, materials and construction techniques. GreenSpec is edited by practising architects and specifiers - ensuring that the content and communication style is responsive to the needs of both design professionals and the self-build audience.
Material District
Material District (formerly Materia), based in the Netherlands, is a global network of innovative materials and finishes.
Materials Lab
Texas based web directory of materials and building products websites created by a student at UT-Austin School of Architecture.
Materiom
A library which features open source recipes for materials made from abundant biomass that can be locally sourced.
Passive House Institute
Construction Systems Database
Retrofit Pattern Book
Retrofit Details and information using natural insulation.
Sustainable Sources LLP
US based 'Green Building' information
Trada - now Timber Development UK
Wood Species Database: The species database will help you choose the most suitable wood species for your project.