How to do research in Architecture and Design
Library resources for researchers working on architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning and design
START WITH GOOD KEYWORDS
Topic-specific keywords will help improve your results in a general multidisciplinary database like Google, Google Scholar, HOLLIS, or Academic Search Premier.
Add keywords like these to your search:
- Broader subject - built environment, design, "city OR urban planning"
- Narrower focus - sustainability, land development, site remediation, housing, urban renewal, transportation, floor plan
- Names of designers, built and unbuilt works, historical periods or movements, or typology - Kenzo Tange, Lina Bo Bardi, Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Boston city plan, Brutalism, Modernism, residential, school, office building, parks, gardens
UPGRADE YOUR SEARCH: KEY DATABASES
The best tool for your project may be a specialized search engine, also known as a database. These databases are subject-specific or format-specific search tools:
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals (via HarvardKey) -- provides a comprehensive listing of journal articles published worldwide on architecture in the broadest sense, including design, archaeology, city planning, historic preservation, interior design, decorative art, landscape architecture, and urban planning. It indexes back to 1930, with selective coverage back to the 1860's and includes a large number of architects' obituaries, a rich source of biographical information. Search tip: click on “choose databases” to select other potentially relevant databases, such as “Art Full Text,” “GreenFILE”, or “Urban Studies Abstracts.”
Dig Deeper
The Architecture guide provides a helpful overview of library resources in support of research in architecture and building technology, including how to locate journals, site plans, images, and archival material, a list of organizations and directories of design firms, and recommended databases specific to architecture, design, and building technology.
Databases for Arts & Architecture- explore the full list of Harvard Library databases in this subject category.
CONNECT WITH US
Nicole Santiago, the library liaison to Architecture, is available to support researchers via one-on-one research consultation (primarily online).
Featured Collection
The Frances Loeb Library at the Harvard Graduate School of Design offers general and special collections that include a wide range of formats supporting 20th and 21st century architecture, all aspects of landscape architecture including history of the practice, urban planning and design, and technological innovations in all areas, such as GIS and materials science.
RELATED FAQ
- Some Harvard Library locations will be closed or have special hours for Commencement, Thursday, May 26. Please check the Library Hours page for specifics. Ask a Librarian and chat hours will remain as usual.
- Most Harvard Library locations will be closed Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Ask a Librarian and chat service will be closed on these dates.
- If you're experiencing an ongoing technical issue when you attempt to access library materials with your HarvardKey during these times, please report it to Library Technology Services.
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