Architecture and Landscape Architecture
A range of links to library and information resources for architecture and landscape architecture. These include local collections, networked services and external websites.
Library News and Events
Information about Library news, training, events and service updates.
Academic Support Librarian for ESALA
Race and Decolonial Studies Guide and Diversifying Toolkit guide
The Academic Support Librarian team have created two new subject guides giving advice on resources relating to race studies, diversifying and decolonising the curriculum, and matters relating to EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion).
You can access the Diversifying Toolkit here.
This guide assists with the work of diversifying resources used in teaching. Designed to help academic staff begin assessing the readings they already use to make their curriculum more inclusive.
You can find the Race and Decolonial Studies subject guide here.
Main Library
- Main LibraryThe Main Library at George Square holds a large collection of ESALA related materials, including the Centre for Research Collections.
- ECA LibraryECA Library includes print and electronic resources relevant to courses taught by ESALA.
- Art & Architecture LibraryThe A&A Library at Minto House, Chambers Street, includes a fantastic range of collections for Architecture, and Architectural History, as well as History of Art.
Keep up-to-date with the Library!
- ECA Library BlogThis blog provides information relating to ECA Library services, collections and displays.
- Link to index of all Library blogsThis page indexes all the University of Edinburgh Library blogs.
Feedback
- Feedback FormSuggestions or feedback on this guide are welcome. Please get in touch via the form.
Researching the University Estate
Are you an architecture student conducting research about one of the University buildings? The University Estates department can help with that! Estates hold a drawing for each and every building within The University of Edinburgh estate. These drawings cover each floor and outline every room within a specific building. For more information about how to request a plan or drawing of a building go to the Estates information page here.
The Estates Helpdesk can be contacted at estates.helpdesk@ed.ac.uk
Databases for ESALA
- Art and Architecture SourceArt and Architecture Source, from EBSCO, covers a broad range of related subjects, from fine, decorative and commercial art, to various areas of architecture and architectural design. Providing over 600 full-text journals, more than 220 full-text books, and a collection of over 63,0000 images, it is designed for use by a diverse audience, including art scholars, artists, designers, students and general researchers.
- Art and Architecture ArchiveThis archival collection, by ProQuest, of digitized searchable backfiles from first issue to the year 2005, of many of the foremost art and architecture magazines of the 20th-century, supports scholarship across the spectrum of disciplines in the arts, from fine and applied arts through to interior design, industrial design, and landscape gardening. The title list includes: Apollo, Architectural Review, Architects Journal, Art Monthly, British Journal of Photography, Country Life, Eye, Graphis, Ornament and more.
- Avery IndexIndexes more than 1,000 periodicals published worldwide on archaeology, city planning, interior design, and historic preservation, as well as architecture. Produced by the Getty Information Institute and Columbia University.
Bloomsbury Architecture Library is a leading digital resource for the study of architecture, urbanism, and interior design. Its dynamic digital platform offers access to wide-ranging collections of text and image content, from architectural history to cutting-edge design guidance. The platform is comprised of multiple collections, including the newly updated ebook edition of Bannister Fletcher’s Global History of Architecture, 21st edition.
- British Standards OnlineFull-text of over 39,000 current, draft and historic British Standards, more than 16,000 of which are BSI adopted European and International Standards (ISO) including the full-text of all Eurocodes. An email alert service is available to track any changes in selected current Standards.
- Construction Information ServiceThe Construction Information Service provides instant full-text access to current regulations, standards, technical advice and a vast array of related news and briefings. Key institutes and organisations that contribute to the service include: IStructE, CIRIA, CIOB, SCI, The Concrete Society, TRL, AJ, BSRIA, RIAI.
- Detail InspirationThis new image and reference database uses precise, relevant visual inspirations to support architects in their search for construction solutions. With more than 3,300 projects from the last 30 years, DETAIL inspiration is a highly valuable source of research and inspiration for architects, giving access to reference photographs, sketches, technical product information, within a clearly structured search and selection system, with downloads available.
For a complete list of architecture, landscape architecture, and architectural history-related databases please go to this webpage
Architecture, landscape architecture, and architectural history collections
Main Library
Standard and short loan books are shelved, together with reference books for the subject, at Library or Congress (LC) classification shelfmarks N and NA.
Older standard and short loan books are located at Dewey shelfmark .72 onwards.
The following link gives full details of the locations of all of the Main Library's collections:
Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) Library
The ECA collection consists of some 65,000 books and 300 periodical subscriptions along with DVDs, maps, slides and artists' books. ECA Library supports learning, teaching and research in architecture, landscape architecture, architectural history, history of art, and art and design.
Art and Architecture Library
Contains books on architectural design, architectural theory and practice, architectural history, construction, planning and urban design, technical books, landscape architecture and landscape history, professional practice, presentation techniques, CAAD and digital media.
About 80 current journal titles and CDs, student dissertations and work placement reports are held in the Art & Architecture Library.
Internet resources for Architecture
AATA Online: Abstracts of International Conservation Literature
CABE Case Studies
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) library of England's best buildings and spaces.
DSA Dictionary of Scottish Architects: a database providing biographical information and job lists for all architects known to have worked in Scotland during the period 1660-1980, whether as principals, assistants or apprentices.
Google Earth
Provides access to virtual geographical information.
Landscape Institute Library
The Landscape Institute Library holds Europe's largest specialist collection of books, journals, and publications relating to landscape architecture. The catalogue includes journal articles as well as references to relevant contents / chapters in individual books.
Multimedia resources for Teaching
A guide highighting a selection of resources - some available on the internet, others through a University subscription - with multimedia content that is copyright cleared or labelled with a Creative Commons licence permitting its re-use.
RIAS Directory of Architect's Practices
From the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
RIBA Library
The catalogue of the Royal Incorporation of British Architects (RIBA) British Architectural Library functions as an index to over 300 architectural journals.
The catalogue also contains details of books and audio visual materials held by the RIBA Library.
Search Tip: To restrict your search to journal articles only, make sure that collections is set to Journals.
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the regulatory and support body for architects in Ireland. Use the link below to access the RIAI Register of Architects and to download their official journal, Architecture Ireland
Products & materials:
Barbour product search
Searchable database of building products and suppliers, including images, case studies, technical data, catalogues, news and project data.
SpecifiedBy was created in Edinburgh to help specifiers find and research building products and materials through modern search, comparison and information management tools. By providing well-structured, open data for thousands of products, the service aims to provide the most comprehensive database of products and materials in the UK and save construction professionals time in the process. You can sign up for free.
ESI info
ESI's online product information service covering external works, building products, interior design and building services.
A leading UK resource for landscape architects and architects involved in landscaping projects.
Dutch registration-based service providing free access to information on thousands of materials.
RIBA product selector
A leading resource on building products, NBS (National Building Specification) information and RIBA (Royal Incorporation of British Architects) CPD with free access to product catalogues, technical documents and contact information of over 10,000 UK manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, trade associations and construction service providers.
Stylepark
German registration-based service providing free access to information on thousands of design products and materials.
TRADA: Timber Research & Development Association
For "All you wanted to know about timber ..." in the construction industry.
Students and staff can register for free student membership: Membership
Planning & regulations:
DiscoverEd
Course resource lists
- Course resource listsCheck the resource lists website for essential readings and resources for your courses.
Referencing
- Cite Them Right onlineEverything you need to know about referencing your resources.
- Read. Write. CiteSome useful general guidance from the Students Association' (EUSA).
- Cite this for meA free online tool that automates the building of a bibliography using the Harvard referencing format.
Avoiding plagiarism
- Institute for Academic DevelopmentThe IAD can give advice on academic writing skills including how to avoid plagiarism.
- Plagiarism adviceClick here for more guidance on avoiding plagiarism.
Looking for images?
- Image databasesCheck out our collections of still and moving images.
Looking for theses and dissertations?
We have various databases dedicated to searching for theses and dissertations.
SBCC online
The University Library has an agreement with the Scottish Building Contracts Committee (SBCC) to allow matriculated students and also University staff free access to the SBCC contracts online service. SBCC provides contractual documentation you would need for your building and construction work in Scotland.
Access is by username and password. To see these, go to the EASE password-protected "Electronic Resources Usernames and Passwords" library webpage
Please note – we do have the right to free access to this resource so IGNORE stated costs and simply proceed to create a document by clicking the “Download Contract for Educational Use” link. If you have problems accessing this resource please contact your Academic Support Librarian or email IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk