Architectural Style:
A Guide to Initiating Research

Style is defined by Herbert Pothorn in Architectural Styles as "distinctive aspects of any one age, historical period, or even region."

Table of Contents

• The Library Catalog
  
• Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
  
• Field Guides and Handbooks
  
• Histories
  
• Chronologies
  
• Indexes
  
• Internet Resources
  

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The Library Catalog

In searching for a topic, both subject and keyword searches can be effective.

Keyword searches combine significant words that you choose to describe your topic. An example of a keyword search is


desert architecture

Subject searches use words designated by the Library of Congress to describe a topic. The subject headings the Library of Congress has chosen are listed in a book of subject headings kept in the library Reference area. Examples of just a few subject headings that might be useful in a search for materials on architectural style are

architecture georgian
architecture baroque
gothic revival architecture
prairie school architecture
organic architecture
temples buddhist
vernacular architecture

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Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia articles can give you a concise overview of a particular style, while dictionaries can assist in defining key terms.

Encyclopedia of Architecture, Design, Engineering and Construction Ref Arch NA31 E59 1988

The article "Architectural Styles" is a good introduction.

A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Architecture Ref Arch NA212 L45 1988

Dictionary of Islamic Architecture Ref Arch NA380 P46 1996

International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture Ref Arch NA40 I48 1993

The architecture section is arranged by place.

Encyclopedia of Modern Architecture Ref Arch NA680 E5

Encyclopedia of 20th Century Architecture Ref Arch NA680 E49 1986

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Field Guides and Handbooks

Identifying American Architecture: A Pictorial Guide to Styles and Terms 1600-1945 Ref Arch NA705 B55 1981

Field Guide to American Architecture Ref Arch NA 705 R53 1984

Field Guide to Contemporary American Architecture Ref Arch NA 712 R54 1998

Clues to American Architecture Ref Arch NA705 K56 1986

British Building Styles Recognition Ref Arch NA961 H65x 1987

Handbook of British Architectural Styles Ref Arch NA961 D87 1992

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Histories

Styles and Types of North American Architecture Ref Arch NA703 G69 1991

Architecture of the Western World Ref Arch NA200 A73

History of Architecture Styles Ref Arch NA204 B3513

Architectural Styles Ref Arch NA204 P6613 1982

Pelican History of Art Main and Arch Stacks, various call numbers series of volumes

History of World Architecture Arch Stacks, various call numbers

series of volumes

Living Architecture Book Stacks, various call numbers

series of volumes

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Chronologies

A Chronology of Western Architecture Ref Arch NA200 Y37

Architecture 1970-1980: A Decade of Change Ref Arch NA2542.35 A73

Year-by-year list of buildings.

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Indexes

Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals

paper copy: Ref Arch Z5945 A653
online version restricted to UNLV Libraries patrons

Architectural Periodicals Index Ref Arch Z5941 A69

Art Index paper copy in Main Ref.; online version is now Art Full Text, restricted to UNLV Libraries patrons

Index to Italian Architecture Ref Arch NA111 T4 1992

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Internet Resources

The site of the Society of Architectural Historians is a good starting place: http://www.sah.org/ See also Architecture and Building ...Check the guide to Internet resources under headings History and Places.

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To make an appointment to discuss your research project, contact Jeanne Brown, Architecture Studies Librarian: 895-4369, jeanne.brown@unlv.edu.

This UNLV Architecture Library Research Guide prepared by Kevin Thompson and Jeanne Brown, April, 1996; revised by Jeanne Brown, April 1999. Catolog links added Oct. 2003.

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