Databases for Architecture
Use the databases below to:
- find references to journal articles
- keep up to date with the latest publications in your subject
Some databases require your Cardiff University network username and password for off-campus access. These databases are available for all staff and students of Cardiff University but because of licensing restrictions they are not available to external members and visitors.
You can also access databases through Electronic Resources - MetaLib
Database guides are available to help you.
Architectural Publications Index (RIBA British Architectural Library Catalogue)
The RIBA British Architectural Library Catalogue, also known as Architectural Publications Index, is a major source of information on architecture and the allied arts, construction technology, design, environmental studies and planning research. It indexes journal articles, books, exhibition catalogues, technical reports, audio-visual material and references to architectural drawings found in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Access On-Campus
RIBA British Architectural Library Catalogue
Access Off-Campus
Art & Architecture Complete
Art & Architecture Complete provides full-text coverage of 380 periodicals and more than 220 books. In addition, this database offers cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts for more than 780 academic journals, magazines and trade publications, as well as for over 230 books. Art & Architecture Complete also provides selective coverage for 70 additional publications and an Image Collection of over 63,000 images provided by Picture Desk and others.
Access on-campus
Access off-campus
To access Art & Architecture Complete off-campus your Cardiff University username and password will be required.
ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines
ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines Essential Collection
Provides access to the most referenced ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines, including Standards 62.1 and 62.2 for ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality, Standards 90.1 and 90.2 for energy efficient design of low-rise residential buildings and Standard 189.1 for the design of high-performance green buildings.
To view the Standards, you need Adobe Acrobat X and FileOpen software. On Windows XP machines, run the FileOpen installer from Networked Applications - General Software - Internet, Web and Email - Plugins. On Windows 7 machines, run the FileOpen installer from Programs - Cardiff Apps - Browsers & Plugins.
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
Avery Index is the most comprehensive American index of journal articles and other literature on architecture published world-wide. Coverage begins in the 1930s, with selective coverage dating back to the 1860s.
There is a paper version available in the Architecture Library which began in 1934.
Access On-Campus
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
Access Off-Campus
To access Avery Index off-campus, your Cardiff University network username and password will be required.
BCIS Online
BCIS Online provides the most recent information covering cost analysis of materials, labour, etc., and detailed cost analysis for the purpose of estimating building costs.
The University is allowed two concurrent users at any one time, each using a different logon. Please Log out once you have finished using BCIS Online, so others are able to access it. Please note, BCIS Online can only be accessed on-campus.
| Cardiff User 1 | Cardiff User 2 |
CUMINCAD (Cumulative Index of Computer Aided Architectural Design)
CUMINCAD is a web-based database of over 8,500 titles, abstracts and full papers in the field of Computer Aided Architectural Design, which spans the period from the early 1970s to the present.
Access On-Campus
To view full papers, you must complete a brief personal registration process.
Access Off-Campus
Off-campus access to full text papers on CUMINCAD is currently unavailable.
Digimap
Digimap provides collections of online maps and spatial data covering Great Britain. The Ordnance Survey Collection includes a range of services for viewing, printing and downloading Ordnance Survey maps and data from the present day.
To use the Digimap Ordnance Survey Collection, you will need to login with your computer username and password. If you are using Digimap Ordnance Survey Collection for the first time, you will be automatically directed to a registration form when you select a service e.g. Roam, Carto. You will receive email notification when your registration has been processed. Please allow up to two working days.
More information about Digimap Ordnance Survey Collection and other services available from Digimap can be found on the Digimap support page.
Building Height Data for cities and towns in the UK may be integrated with Ordnance Survey map data. Contact Sarah Nicholas (NicholasS2@cardiff.ac.uk) for further information.
Digimap Historic
Contains County Series maps at 1:2,500 and 1:10,560 scales published between 1843 and 1939 and National Grid maps at 1:1,250, 1:2,500 and 1:10,560/10,000 scales published from 1945 to the 1990s. Maps can be viewed, printed, saved or downloaded for use with a geographical information system.
To use Historic Digimap, you will need to login with your computer username and password. If you are using Historic Digimap for the first time, you will be automatically directed to a registration form when you select a service e.g. Ancient Roam. You will receive email notification when your registration has been processed. Please allow up to two working days.
More information about Historic Digimap and other services available from Digimap can be found on the Digimap support page.
Ei Compendex
Provides abstracts and references to the scientific and technical literature in the field of engineering.
If you experience any difficulties accessing Ei Compendex an alternative link can be found here:
Ei Compendex alternative link
Envest 2 Estimator
Envest2 simplifies the process of designing buildings with low environmental impact and whole list costs.
Please contact Sarah Nicholas (NicholasS2@cardiff.ac.uk) for username and password to access this resource.
GreenFILE
This database focuses on information relating to the impact of humans on the environment. It includes content on global warming, sustainable agriculture, green building and renewable energy.
On-Campus Access
Off-Campus Access
To access the GreenFILE database off-campus, your Cardiff University network username and password will be required.
ICE Virtual Library
The Institution of Civil Engineers Virtual Library Archive is a repository of full text technical civil engineering papers from 1836 to the present.
ICONDA
Provides bibliographical references to journal articles published internationally in the areas of:
- construction
- architecture
- civil engineering
- town planning
It covers the period from 1976 to the present and is accessed through the Ovid Gateway website.
Access On-Campus
ICONDA (International Construction Database)
Access Off-Campus
Off-campus use of ICONDA
To access ICONDA off-campus, your Cardiff University network username and password will be required.
Info4Education
Info4Education is hosted by the IHS website.
This JISC education portal provides access to several databases including:
Occupational Health Safety Information Service
Coverage includes fire and environmental safety.
Construction Information Service
This covers legislation, standards and guidance material on all aspects of engineering in construction facilities management.
Specify-It Building
A comprehensive collection of product catalogues for the construction industry.
Engineer-It
This comprises three databases, electronics, engineering and process, which give a comprehensive collection of product catalogues for the three respective industries.
Access on-campus
Access off-campus
Off-campus use of Info4Education
To access Info4Education off-campus your Cardiff University network username and password is required.
Oxford Art Online
The new home of Grove Art Online, this database contains 45,000 articles on every aspect of the visual arts, painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture, decorative arts and photography from prehistory to the present day. Compiled over a period of 15 years, it represents the work of more than 6,800 scholars from around the world, each writing on his or her own specialist field of study.
The database also gives access to 40,000 image links and 5,000 images from numerous international museums and galleries including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).
Access On-Campus
Access Off-Campus
Oxford Art Online (off-campus)
To access Oxford Art Online off-campus, your Cardiff University network username and password will be required.
Web of Knowledge
This service provides access to the Web of Science databases:
- Arts & Humanities Citation Index
- Social Science Citation Index
- Science Citation Index
Covers over 8,500 scholarly research journals, including author abstracts, from 1981 to the present. Searchable by keyword or by works that have been cited by other publications.
Also includes the ISI Journal Citation Reports for the Sciences and Social Sciences. To access the Reports, login to Web of Knowledge and select the ISI Journal Citation Reports option from the home page. These provide easy access to data so scholarly journals can be compared. Categories include highest impact and most frequently cited journals.