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Buildings and Their Architects

Research Tips

• Know what you are looking for. Many architects, buildings, and locations are known by multiple names. Terms like house / residence / villa / casa may be used inconsistantly. Be certain that you are spelling your search terms correctly in the most-appropriate language. Try name variations.

• Choose your search terms carefully, and try different combinations. Search using the most distinctive words and leave out common words. Try connecting words with <and>.

• Expand your search strategy. For example, try searching by the name of a building. Then try searching for broader or related topics such as the name of the architect, the building's city or country, its building type, its time period, etc. For additional insight research a building's client, its setting, its materials, etc. This information will help you to better understand a building within its context.

• Look for clues to additional sources. As you find and use each source, look for additional keywords that you might not have thought of, examine lists of projects and back-of-the-book indexes, and look for citations in bibliographies and footnotes. Carefully record all of your sources (see Citations).

• Use Library Catalogs to look for books. See especially Cameo. Note that not many buildings have entire books written about them, and a library catalog may or may not mention a building if it is part of a book with a broader topic.

• Use Article Databases to look for articles. See especially the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals and/or the RIBA British Architectural Library Catalogue Online. Articles often provide the best information about individual buildings.

• Use Reference Resources to look for basic information about prominent buildings and architects. See especially Encyclopedias and Collections.

• Many buildings and architects are readily searchable on the free Web. Note, however, that information on the Web can be limited and unreliable, and must be evaluated carefully. Many architecturtal web sites are compiled by students or fans, and architects' own sites are self-promotional. So you may have to look elsewhere for in-depth information, critical evaluation, and specific drawings and images.

• Drawings and other images may be found in all of the sources mentioned above. Try also books and databases that specialize in Drawings and Images of Buildings.

• For a sample search process see Hiss House :: Paul Rudolph.