Architecture and Building
Architecture and Building is a guide to net sites on architecture, building and construction, design, housing, planning, preservation, facility management, energy and the environment, and landscape architecture, compiled by
Jeanne Brown, University of Nevada Las Vegas Architecture Studies Library. For a listing of sites by category, go to the
Contents Page. For a listing of sites by site name, go to the
Alphabetical Index.
This Architecture Internet Database is very extensive. Scroll down, use ->EDIT ->FIND , or the hotkeys Control F to search within these pages.
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Contents page
Alphabetical index by site
FacilitiesNet
[http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/]
Current two years. 06/02
Project Management Forum
[http://www.pmforum.org/]
Construction-related materials, products and services; includes the geographically-organized Professional Services Locator Directory.
Project Management Institute
[http://www.pmi.org]
Last accessed 1/03.
R.S.Means Company
[http://www.rsmeans.com]
Cost estimating information.
Usable Buildings
[http://www.usablebuildings.co.uk/]
Full-text publications, some available to members only, on building use and services. 9/99
Federal Geographic Data Committee
[http://www.fgdc.gov]
Goal is to enable the sharing of spatial data. Includes the Geospatial Data Clearinghouse which is "a collection of over 100 spatial data servers, that have digital geographic data primarily for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), image processing systems, and other modelling software." 6/99
Geographic Information System
[http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/gis_poster/]
US Geological Survey's site on the basics of GIS (What is it? How does it work? etc.). Includes other useful GIS links. PW 7/00
GIS Data Depot
[http://data.geocomm.com/]
The purpose of GIS Data Depot is to promote the open exchange and free transfer of geospatial data on the Internet. Datasets are organized geographically, and most can be downloaded forfree. Free GIS software is also available. Site is searchable. PW 7/00
INFOMINE = Maps and GIS Resources
[http://infomine.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/search?maps]
Searchable site with links to over 500 sources arranged by very specific subject headings. PW 7/00
Internet GIS Resources
[http://www.tec.army.mil/gis/index.htm]
Extensive GIS links.
Virtual Clearinghouse for Nevada Geographic Information
[http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/geoinfo/geoinfo.htm]
Links to organizations, both in-state and national, that provide geographic information, including geographic information system (GIS) coverage. Last accessed 6/06
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
[http://www.gsa.gov/fdac/default.htm]
"The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a government-wide compendium of Federal programs, projects, services, and activities which provide assistance or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and nonfinancial assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the Federal government." 1/99
Census
[http://www.census.gov]
Census information in various areas including building permits, construction.
Code of Federal Regulations
[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html]
Last accessed 1/03.
Commerce Business Daily
[http://cbdnet.access.gpo.gov/index.html]
This site provides free access to the CBD.
Federal Register
[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html]
Last accessed 1/03.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
[http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos038.htm]
Last accessed 1/03.
Overseas Business Reports
[http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/obr/index.html]
Last accessed 1/03.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
[http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/]
Last accessed 1/03.
U.S. Budget
[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/]
Last accessed 1/03.
U.S. Code
[http://uscode.house.gov]
U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library. Specific Acts, e.g. the Copyright Act, also included.
Several government sites, such as the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, are listed in the topical sections elsewhere in this listing. This is a selection of sites with more general information thought to be of interest to architecture/building. Extensive guides to government sources are found at the Argus Clearinghouse [http://www.clearinghouse.net].
America's Housing
[http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing.html]
US Census Bureau data from the American Housing Survey, homeownership data, housing affordability, housing vacancy data, market absorption of apartments, Property Owners and Managers Survey, residential segregation 1990, and historical tables from the Housing Censuses. 8/98
City and Town Official Sites
[http://www.citytown.info/]
Links to official city web sites. 8/06
Environmental Protection Agency
[http://www.epa.gov]
Last accessed 1/03.
GPO Access
[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html]
Portal to US government information, with both broad categories (e.g. legislative) and specific publications (e.g. Congressional Record). 12/01
Housing and Urban Development
[http://www.hud.gov]
Data on housing and community trends, including information on specific communities such as Henderson, Nevada.
HUD USER
[http://www.huduser.org/]
"HUD USER is the primary source for Federal Government reports and information on housing policy and programs, building technology, economic development, urban planning, and other housing-related topics."
Online bibliographic database, raw data, links. 8/98
National Park Service
[http://www.nps.gov]
Some information on the National Register, HABS/HAER, and other NPS programs, as well as a cultural landscape bibliography.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
[http://www.nrel.gov]
Under "Research in progress" you find the NREL publications database and information about the various divisions including the Photovoltaic Division and the Buildings and Energy Systems Division. Under Information Sources/ NREL Information Systems find the solar radiation data and maps, wind energy resources maps, and more.
National Science Foundation
[http://www.nsf.gov]
NSF publications, awards, agencies.
National Technology Transfer Center
[http://www.nttc.edu]
A gateway to funding and research opportunities, technologies available for licensing, and contacts for the federal laboratory system..
NTIS (National Technical Information Service) FedWorld
[http://www.fedworld.gov]
In addition to NTIS information, this is a major gateway to government information. It is however, often busy and difficult to access.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development
[http://www.hud.gov]
Community plans (including Henderson, Nevada plan for block grant funds and a brief history of the city), data on housing and community trends. A searchable database of HUD publications is at [http://www.huduser.org]
USAID Procurement and Business Opportunities
[http://www.usaid.gov/business/]
Last accessed 1/03.
Agents of Change
[http://aoc.uoregon.edu/]
Successor to the Vital Signs project. Teaching exercises; case studies in the workshop section. Links to additional case studies coming from the Vital Signs project are at [http://aoc.uoregon.edu/case_studies/index.shtml]. Case studies coming from the environmental controls class 1999-2003 are at[http://www.uoregon.edu/~hof/]
11/05
Architectural Record
[http://www.archrecord.com]
Subscription info, some full-text articles, Green Architect section (inlcuding products, articles, continuing education opportunities), news. 10/99
Architype Review
[http://www.architypereview.com]
Architype Review seeks to advance the discussion of design within specific building typologies and explore the influence that type has on the design process. Architype’s primary goal is to honor those projects that are challenging the limits and redefining the norms of a certain building type. In addition, Architype promotes sustainable design and provides support to competitions and student travel abroad opportunities. Each volume/number covers a different building type. 10/06
BRE Environmental Assessment Method
[http://www.breeam.org/]
From Britain's Building Research Establishment, a tool to improve building performance. Site has entries by building type. 5/05
Center for Maximum Building Potential Systems
[http://www.cmpbs.org/]
Non-profit, demonstration and research organization. Projects and publications.
Context Institute
[http://www.context.org/]
The institute "a nonprofit research organization" "has been exploring and clarifying just what is involved in a humane sustainable culture." They publish "In Context: A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture" and the
web site provides access to tables of contents and ordering information. Although their scope is broader than buidling issues, there are some issues devoted to habitat. 3/01
Design Workshop
[http://www.designworkshop.com/]
Profiles of their projects, in which they "integrate the beauty of natural landscapes with economic and social conditions to achieve sustainable futures. Design Workshop is a landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and tourism planning firm." 12/99
e design
[http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/edesign/index.html]
Online journal of sustainable design and planning. Online jounal of sustainable design archive. No longer active.6/05
earthship global website
[http://www.earthship.org/]
"Earth - Ship n. 1. a passive solar home made out of natural and recycled materials. 2. a home combining passive solar architecture with thermal mass construction. 3. renewable energy and integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with no utility bills." Articles and lots of information on earthships, as well as earthship houses to buy or rent, and other market related material. 7/00
Education for Sustainability Profiles
[http://www.secondnature.org/efs/efs_profiles.htm]
Profiles of sustainability initiatives of higher education institutions. Listed by institution and by type of project (including sustainability research). Searchable. 6/99
Environ Design Collaborative
[http://www.environdc.com]
Design firm site, with concise introduction to the definition of "green" in architecture and building.
Environmental Building News
[http://www.buildinggreen.com/]
"Information on green buildings, products, and technologies."
Environmental Design and Construction
[http://www.EDCmag.com/]
Some articles full-text online. You can also subscribe online to the free print subscription. 3/01
Environmental Design Charrette
[http://www.salsa.net/aiasa]
"Living with Water" sponsored by the San Antonio chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Friends of Kebyar
[http://kebyar.com/]
"Friends of Kebyar is an Oregon non-profit corporation and an international network of people interested in original and innovative architecture that is not 'mainstream'." 12/98
Green Building Council
[http://www.usgbc.org/]
Programs, resources (case studies), quarterly report from the council. "The US Green Building Council is the building industry's only balanced nonprofit consensus coalition promoting the understanding, development and
accelerated implementation of "Green Building" policies, programs, technologies, standards and design practices." 12/98
Green Building or Sustainable Architecture:Information Resources
[http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/ENVI/GreenAll.html]
Guide to print and net resources. 12/98
Green Building Research Center (GBRC) University of California, Berkeley
[http://greenbuildings.berkeley.edu/]
"Created in 2004 to to advance and promote sustainable building design and operation on the UC Berkeley campus" 2/07
Green Haus
[http://home.earthlink.net/~dlombard]
Many links; information on indoor air quality and materials that affect it like paint; product info and links. 8/99
Green Home Building
[http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/]
Includes a "range of information related to sustainable architecture and natural building" including code information. 5/04
Green Home Guide
[http://www.greenhomeguide.com/]
Advice on green remodeling. 10/06
Green Matrix
[http://www.greenmatrix.net/index.html]
Cool and substantial matrix intended to manage the ever increasing body of resources on green design. Across the horizontal axis of the matrix are sustainability topics such as site sustainability, water conservation, indoor environment, energy efficiency, and materials resources. The vertical axis reflects phases of project design, such as pro forma, master planning, schematic design, construction drawings. So put your cursor in the appropriate box [e.g. the intersection of "pro forma" and "site sustainability"] and click to find resources for that topic and phase. 4/05
GreenClips
[http://www.greenclips.com/]
You can subscribe by sending email to: subscribe-greenclips@listserv.energy.wsu.edu . "GreenClips is a summary of recent articles in the media on environmental news. It has a special focus on sustainable design for buildings-green architecture-and related government and business issues".
Indoor Air Quality (EPA)
[http://www.epa.gov/iaq/]
Various documents on the subject. 12/99
Intute Geography Gateway
[http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/geography/]
"The Intute Geography Gateway provides free access to high quality resources on the Internet. Each resource has been evaluated and categorised by subject specialists based at UK universities. Our target audience is students, staff and researchers in higher and further education." This URL is a subsection of the site on the environment, with many resources on sustainability. 4/07
Las Vegas American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment
[http://www.lv-cote.org/]
The resources section is worth visiting. 5/04
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
[https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19]
From the US Green Building Council, a rating system and "consensus-based national standard" for sustainable buildings. The UNLV Architecture Studies Library has the LEED Reference Guide in its reference section. 5/05
Linkages
[http://www.iisd.ca/linkages]
"A multimedia resource for environment and development" provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Sections on sustainable production and consumption, and on the Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) included.
Low Impact Housing
[http://abridesign.com/lowimpact/index.htm]
Ongoing survey to collect information about low impact housing [single and multi-family], especially that appropriate for colder climates. More than two hundred examples have been collected as of May 2005.
Lucchesi Galati Architects Inc.
[http://www.lgainc.com/]
Go to the Connections section for a substantial set of links to green design sites. 1/03
Natural Building
[http://www.strawbalecentral.com]
Information on straw-bale construction, cob, adobe, bamboo and other techniques; bibliography; photos identified with house name, place, and sometimes date built; and extensive links. 7/98
Natural Energies Advanced Technologies [NEAT] Laboratory
[http://www.unlv.edu/labs/neatl/]
UNLV School of Architecture laboratory, run by Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzales, exploring environmentally responsive design approaches. 5/05
Oikos
[http://www.oikos.com/]
"Information on energy efficiency and sustainable building construction." Includes the Green Building News and the Oikos Green Product Gallery[ http://www.oikos.com/products/], searchable by product category or company. 10/02
Residential Environmental Design and Sustainable Architecture
[http://www.reddawn.com]
Articles, book and materials reviews, green resources and organizations, green architects. 7/98
RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) National Key Centre for Design
[http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au]
"The National Key Centre for Design at RMIT exists to focus the work of Australian designers, researchers, industry and government on the changing relationship between design, production and consumption." This site provides centre research papers and projects such as EcoReDesign ("a program to improve the environmental performance of manufactured products") and Eco Built Environment ("an inquiry into the philosophy of environmental sustainability both for the design and the designers of the built environment"), as well as links to other environmental design research centers.
Rocky Mt. Institute
[http://www.rmi.org]
Description of the institute and its seven foci, including green development. Publications lists are included.
Smart Communities Network
[http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/]
Principles, rating systems, success stories and more. Updated 4/03
Solar Decathlon
[http://www.solardecathlon.org/]
"The Solar Decathlon is a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The Solar Decathlon is also an event to which the public is invited to observe the powerful combination of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design." Beginning with 2007, construction drawings for each project (in .pdf format) can be accessed from each team web page (in addition to a virtual tour, daily video updates and product information). 10/07
Solar Design Associates, Inc.
[http://www.solardesign.com/]
Description of the firm's projects and services.
Southwest Housing Traditions: Design, Materials, Performance
[http://www.huduser.org/publications/destech/SWhousingtraditions.html]
Full text of this August 2005 HUD publication which "assesses the relevance of traditional Southwestern building designs and materials for the contemporary housing needs of low-income residents of the U.S.-Mexico border communities." Includes case studies and prototypes. 11/05
Sustainable Architecture Building & Culture
[http://www.SustainableABC.Com/strawbale.html]
Links in approximately 20 categories, including environmental illness, straw bale construction, eco villages and communities, and natural building technology. 4/99
Sustainable Building Sourcebook
[http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/]
Text, directory information, links in a variety of categories including earth sheltered design, xeriscape, lighting, landscaping for energy conservation, photovoltaic systems.
Sustainable Communities Network
[http://www.sustainable.org/]
"The Sustainable Communities Network website connects citizens with the resources they need to implement innovative processes and programs to restore the economic, environmental, and social health and vitality of their communities. It addresses a wide range of issues related to community sustainability, including creating
communities, smart growth, growing a sustainable economy, protecting natural resources, living sustainably, and governing communities. In addition it gives case studies, resources, related Web sites, links to
relevant sites, events calendars, and suggested reading." 8/99
Terrain: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments
[http://www.terrain.org/]
Articles, editorials, essays, fiction, "UnSprawl" case studies. 3/01
Vital Signs
[http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/vitalsigns/]
Curricumlum materials project to develop teaching and resource materials for architecture students' study of lighting and mechanical systems. No longer an active page, but useful for the case studies. 11/05
VRSolar
[http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/mbs/tools/vrsolar/index.html]
"The online Solar Position Calculator and VRML Builder." "A web based tool for teaching site solar access." 7/98
YourHomePlanet Environmental Building Design
[http://www.yourhomeplanet.com/]
Web directory with 16 categories, including indoor air quality, green office, water conservation, products. 6/00
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
[http://aceee.org/]
Broad-based energy policy concerns. Highlights of the 1998 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Building are posted. 12/98
Building Energy Efficiency Research (BEER)
[http://arch.hku.hk/research/BEER/index.html]
Information and links on topics including analysis of building climatic data, building energy simulation tools, building energy standards and codes, and sustainable architecture. the links to building energy related site is extensive, and organized by topic. 7/98
Building Research Establishment
[http://www.bre.co.uk]
BRE literature, specific initiatives such as the Energy Efficient Office Building Best Practice Programme, research programme (under construction), and links to other organizations. "The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is the principal organisation in the United Kingdom carrying out research into building and construction and the prevention and control of fire. BRE is an Executive Agency of the UK Government's Department of the Environment."
Buildings Technology Center
[http://www.ornl.gov/ORNL/BTC/]
"The Buildings Technology Center (BTC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the premier U.S. research facility devoted to the development of technologies that improve the energy efficiency and environmental
compatibility of residential and commercial buildings." Sections of the web site, based on topic (e.g. envelope systems, building design and performance), vary in depth. Some contain full-text papers. Some contain
factsheets and calculators. 8/99
Center for Environmental Design Research (CEDR), UC Berkeley
[http://www.cedr.berkeley.edu/research.html]
Description of its various research groups and projects. AW 4/99
Center for the Built Environment (CBE), UC Berkeley
[http://www.cbe.berkeley.edu]
Provides research on how well a building works and how well it can work. The site describes projects, facilities, and publications list. AW 4/99
DEMOSITE
[http://www.demosite.ch/]
"An international exhibition and demonstration centre for photovoltaic building elements." Graphic browser required.
Ecological Design Center
[http://edc.uoregon.edu/]
Links, projects, events. 11/02 The Center is student-run.
Energy Design Resources
[http://www.energydesignresources.com/]
Software tools, information resources including case studies. 8/99
Energy Design Tools
[http://www2.aud.ucla.edu/energy-design-tools/]
From the School of Arts and Architecture, UCLA. 8/99
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
[http://www.eere.energy.gov/]
Information on EREN and links to energy and other information resources.
Energy Systems Research Unit
[http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/]
Extensive publications list, description of projects, products, and courses. ESRU "focuses on the development of simulation based design tools for predicting the energy/environmental performance of demand side systems such as buildings; heating, cooling and power plant; and the technologies to harness renewable sources such as solar and wind energy."
Federal Building Energy Codes
[http://www.energycodes.gov/federal/]
US Department of Energy. Includes software and manuals that can be downloaded at no cost.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
[http://www.ise.fhg.de/]
Last accessed 1/03.
Home Energy Magazine
[http://www.homeenergy.org]
Issues from 1993 and 1994 online, with plans to add them back to volume 1, 1984.
inter.Light
[http://www.light-link.com]
"Dedicated exclusively to lighting products and lighting design with a special emphasis on energy efficiency. inter.Light includes a directory of lighting companies, searchable product databases, a photo gallery of hot lighting products, lighting design case studies, information about the lighting provisions of the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) and links to other useful lighting information on the Internet."
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
[http://www.lbl.gov]
Access is provided to their library catalog, their publications list, and more. The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory has a Center for Building Science which has programs in Building Technologies (including windows and daylighting), Energy Analysis, and Indoor Air Quality. Full-text of the 1994 and 1995 issues of the Lawrence Berkeley Lab Building Science newsletter on energy are available [http://eetd.lbl.gov/newsletter/CBS_NL/]
LBL Center for Building Science News
[http://eetd.lbl.gov/newsletter/CBS_NL/]
Full-text of the 1994 and 1995 issues of the Lawrence Berkeley Lab newsletter on energy.
Lighting Center
[http://www.thelightingcenter.com]
Lighting manufacturers and detailed product information. Includes links to a variety of categories such as "energy, government, and utility lighting programs," "light pollution articles," "light source comparison and reviews," and "lighting, electrical and miscellaneous organizations."
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
[http://www.nrel.gov]
Under "Research in progress" you find the NREL publications database and information about the various divisions including the Photovoltaic Division and the Buildings and Energy Systems Division. Under Information Sources/ NREL Information Systems find the solar radiation data and maps, wind energy resources maps, and more.
New Buildings Institute
[http://www.newbuildings.org/index.htm]
Non-profit group which promotes energy efficiency through research and advocacy. Their site contains some of their research, guidelines for energy efficiency, and energy code information. 7/02
NOAA National Data Centers
[http://www.nndc.noaa.gov/phase3/index.html]
"The objective of this NOAA National Data Centers web site is to provide the public with access to the extensive data holdings of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS)." Data on climate, geophysical, and oceanographic. 8/99
Pacific Energy Center Daylighting Initiative
[http://www.pge.com/pec/daylight/]
History of the project, papers on daylighting and productivity, case studies of a variety of building types, design tools. 10/99
REPP
[http://www.crest.org/]
Renewable energy policy project & CREST[Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology] "Site for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable technology information and connections."
SEIA Members Database
[http://www.seia.org/]
Solar energy products offered by members of the Solar Energy Industries Association, including photovoltaics, solar thermal building products, and solar components and materials. SEIA is a trade group for manufacturers and service suppliers.
Solar Architecture
[http://www.newmex.com/architectVRe/]
Site of architect Dennis R. Holloway, with solar architecture projects, links, and "A Simple Design Methodology for Passive Solar Architecture." 6/99
Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory
[http://lesowww.epfl.ch]
Information on passive solar architecture, daylighting and photovoltaics.
Solar Energy Index
[http://www.asu.edu/lib/resources/db/solareng.htm]
Journal articles, patents, technical reports, pamphlets -- on alternative energy sources.
Solar Radiation Resource Information
[http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/]
Data, codes and calculators, publications and links. 7/02
Solar Works
[http://www.solar-works.com/]
Products and services of this "full-service renewable energy firm." 12/01
SunAngle
[http://www.susdesign.com/sunangle/]
Helpful calculator that will determine solar angles and related information for a given location, date, and time.
Help buttons will give very good explanations and diagrams of the various readings. 9/05
U.S. Department of Energy Building Standards & Guidelines Program
[http://www.energycodes.gov/]
Shows states that have adopted the Model Energy Code. Information on their codes and products, and links. 7/98
Usable Buildings
[ http://www.usablebuildings.co.uk/]
Promotes post-occupancy evaluations, and sharing of information from such studies. See especially the Publications section, and the PROBE [Post-Occupancy Review of Buildings and their Engineering] section reporting research from a study running 1995-2002.
11/06
Western Regional Climate Center
[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/]
Useful data and maps on the western states, including climate historical summaries, daily temperature and precipitation, radar and satellite imagery, climate maps, etc. Links to other sources such as the solar
radiation data at the University of Oregon. 6/99
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Contents page
Alphabetical index by site
