Architecture and Building

RESOURCES BY TOPIC

Topics covered by this guide include architecture, building and construction, design, housing, planning, preservation, facility management, energy and the environment, and landscape architecture. Types of listings range from discussion groups to electronic publications to databases -- and of course a wide variety of websites. This is a selective guide. Links to more comprehensive link collections are included. For some topics just one or two sites with good links to the net resources in that topic are listed. Although the emphasis is on quality sites, sometimes sites that are currently not well-developed but show promise of being so are included.

This guide, started in 1993, is posted to the UNLV Libraries Architecture Studies Library page [/arch/rsrce/webresources/index.php]. Additions and corrections, as well as suggestions for categories, can be sent to Jeanne Brown (jeanne.brown@unlv.edu), head of the UNLV Architecture Studies Library. Permission is granted to use this material for non-commercial purposes, provided the author (Jeanne Brown) is credited.
This Architecture Internet Database is very extensive.
Scroll down, use ->EDIT ->FIND , or the hotkeys Control F to search within these pages.

Architecture Internet Resources -> Resources -> Green Design/Sustainable Resources

Resources for: Green Design/Sustainable Resources

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 1999-2008 are at http://www.uoregon.edu/~hof/ 06/08

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

Architectural Record [http://archrecord.construction.com/]
Subscription info, some full-text articles, Green Architect section (inlcuding products, articles, continuing education opportunities), news. 10/99. 6/08.

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

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, 6/08

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."

BuildingGreen.com [http://www.buildinggreen.com/]
"Information on green buildings, products, and technologies." 6/08.

BuildingOnline: The Search Engine [http://www.buildingonline.com]
Searches engine which "searches over 72,000 building related web sites." Search results for individual queries give site URLs plus number of lines containing the word searched. Building related databases include architects and house plans, associations and education, builders, contractors and consultants, product manufacturers, software, media. E-newsletter available via RSS feed. Last accessed 1/03, 6/08.

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/]
Description of its various research groups and projects. AW 4/99. Updated 11/08

Center for Maximum Building Potential Systems [http://www.cmpbs.org/]
Non-profit, demonstration and research organization. Projects and publications. 6/08

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

Climate Change, Global Warming, and the Built Enviroment - Architecture 2030 News [http://www.architecture2030.org/news/news.php]
A 2008 white paper, titled “Meeting the 2030 Challenge Through Building Codes”, includes a single chart that provides the key to deciphering various building energy codes, standards and rating systems as they relate to the immediate 50% reduction target called for in the 2030 Challenge. http://www.architecture2030.org/pdfs/2030Challenge_Codes_WP.pdf. 6/08

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 building issues, there are some issues devoted to habitat. (Last updated July 2006) 3/01, 6/08

demosite - exhibition center for photovoltaic integration [http://www.demosite.ch/]
"How the building envelope produces solar electricity ...an international exhibition and demonstration centre for photovoltaic building elements." 12/93. 6/08.

Design Workshop: Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Land Planning, Tourism Planning [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." 12/99, 6/08.

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

ecoartnetwork.ogr [http://www.ecoartnetwork.org/]
"A network of professionals dedicated to the practices of ecological art."10/08

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

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."

Environ Design Collaborative [http://www.environdc.com]
Design firm site, with concise introduction to the definition of "green" in architecture and building.

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://1.salsa.net/aiasa/edc.html]
"Living with Water" sponsored by the San Antonio chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

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/]
"The Institute conducts research on the technology needed to supply energy efficiently and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialised, threshold and developing countries. To this purpose, it develops systems, components, materials and processes in the areas of thermal use of solar energy, photovoltaics, solar architecture, electrical power supplies, chemical energy conversion and rational use of energy." 6/99

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 Arts Web: Artists & Projects [http://www.greenarts.org/artprojects.html]
"Focus is on art and ecology and/or eco-activist art. All sites contain images of artists works or projects." 10/08

Green Building Articles' database [http://www.greenbuildingarticles.com/]
Over 1000 articles on green building, sustainability and sustainable development. Last accessed 7/08.

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 California [http://www.green.ca.gov/]
For "examples on energy efficiency and conservation, sustainability, green building and green purchasing practices." 10/08.

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 Roofs for Healthy Cities [http://www.greenroofs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=64]
Publishes the journal title: Living Architecture Monitor – which "reflects our enhanced commitment to educate, inspire and celebrate this emerging restorative, sustainable vision of architecture and landscape design that extends beyond green roofs".

GreenClips [http://www.greenclips.com/]
http://listserv.energy.wsu.edu/greenclips/visit.html.
"GreenClips is a summary of environmental news (1994-2006). It has a special focus on sustainable design for buildings-green architecture-and related government and business issues." Ceased publishing April, 2008.

Home Energy Magazine [http://www.homeenergy.org]
Issues from 1993 and 1994 online, with plans to add them back to volume 1, 1984.

Indoor Air Quality (EPA) [http://www.epa.gov/iaq/]
Various documents on the subject. 12/99

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."

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

IRC: Institute for Research in Construction - Sustainable Built Environment [http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/index_e.html]
The NRC Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC) is the leading construction research agency in Canada and provides the National Research Council with an industrial perspective on strategic requirements, opportunities and priorities within the construction sector. Of interest will be the Sustainable Built Environment Resources at: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/sbe/index_e.html. 6/08

Las Vegas American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment [http://www.lv-cote.org/]
The resources section is worth visiting. 5/04

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.

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

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."

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://lowimpacthousing.com/]
Ongoing survey to collect information about low impact housing [single and multi-family], especially that appropriate for colder climates. Over two hundred examples have been collected as of June 2008.

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

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.

Natural Building Resources [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

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.ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdcinfo/onlineaccess.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. First lined to August 1999. Updated and last accessed 6/08.

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

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 - Renewable energy policy project [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." Last accessed 7/08.

Residential Environmental Design and Sustainable Architecture [http://www.reddawn.com]
Articles, book and materials reviews, green resources and organizations, green architects. First linked 7/98, last accessed 7/08.

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. "Rocky Mountain Institute ® (RMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 1982 by resource analysts L. Hunter Lovins and Amory B. Lovins. What began as a small group of colleagues focusing on energy policy has since grown into a broad-based institution with approximately eighty full-time staff, an annual budget of nearly $12 million." Last accessed 7/08.

Smart Communities Network [http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/]
Principles, rating systems, success stories and more. Updated 4/03

Solar Architecture [http://www.dennisrhollowayarchitect.com/]
Site of architect Dennis R. Holloway, with solar architecture projects, links, and "A Simple Design Methodology for Passive Solar Architecture." 6/99, last updated 7/08

Solar Architecture - Arizona Solar Center [http://www.azsolarcenter.com/design.html]
Explores various technologies, including photovoltaics, solar cooking, solar water heating, solar architecture, wind power, and hands-on activities for the classroom. 7/08.

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.

Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory [http://lesowww.epfl.ch]
Information on passive solar architecture, daylighting and photovoltaics.

Solar Energy Industries Association 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 Resource Information [http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/solar_resource.html]
Data, codes and calculators, publications and links. 7/02, last updated 7/08.

Solar Works [http://www.solar-works.com/]
A renewable energy systems integrator in the northeast United States. Includes a "Solar FAQ", including a glossary of solar terms and links to other resources at: http://www.solar-works.com/solarfacts/. 12/01, last updated 7/08.

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

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

Sustainable Architecture Building & Culture (SustainableABC.com) [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. Since 1993, the quarterly journal "The Last Straw" has shared news and developments from around the world about straw-bale construction and natural building. 4/99, last updated 7/08.

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." Case studies link: http://www.sustainable.org/casestudies/studiesindex.html. 8/99, last accessed 7/08.

Terrain: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments [http://www.terrain.org/]
Articles, editorials, essays, fiction, "UnSprawl" case studies. 3/01

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. Link established 7/98, last accessed 7/08.

Usable Buildings [http://www.usablebuildings.co.uk/]
Full-text publications, some available to members only, on building use and services. 9/99

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

Western Regional Climate Center [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/]
Lots of weather data! 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, last accessed 7/08.

Women Environmental Artists Directory [http://www.weadartists.org/]
10/08.

YourHomePlanet Environmental Building Design [http://www.yourhomeplanet.com/]
Web directory with 16 categories, including indoor air quality, green office, water conservation, products. 6/00