Architecture Resources: Professional Practice

Basic sources for researching an architecture topic including finding books and journal articles, images, web directories, DVDs, and more.

Time-saver standards

Portfolios

Handbooks & Manuals

Product Data

AECInfo (Architecture, Engineering, Construction), Collection of resources and links to building products including over 300,000 pages of building material information including specs and CAD details.

MatWeb: Material Property Data, Data sheets for over 68,000 metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. Database searchable by physical properties, alloy composition, material type, manufacturer name, trade name, and metal UNS number.

Sweets Network, This directory of building and landscape products allows a browse search of all products or searching can be limited to Facilities, Residential, Landscape architecture, Canadian, or Subcontractor communities.

ThomasNet, The most comprehensive database of manufacturers in the United States and Canada. You can search, view company websites, online catalogs, and CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings. Updated frequently and contains listings for 650,000 manufacturers, distributors and service companies, 152,000 brand names, 67,000 product and service categories, and over 800,000 products.

Building codes & standards

ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Link provides standards in both pdf and html formats from the Department of Justice website.

ASTM Standards Online, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. A source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Online access includes a basic subscription to active standards and to the Digital Library which provides full text access to symposia papers and to special technical publications.

International Code Council, A membership association that develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, that are  adopted by most cities, counties, and states.