Links to databases and other library resources for construction and structural design. Also helpful for civil engineering, estimating, excavation, green design, sources of building materials, and related topics.
17 volumes that provide current information on construction costs estimating data.
Volumes include facilities, mechanical, landscape, labor costs, labor rates, heavy construction, residential, commercial, concrete, electrical, plumbing, interior, exterior, and green building cost data.
A link to Penn State's collection of building codes, including the IBC, NEC, and more. Some are available in print at the library, while others are available online.
Architectural drawings and photographs of hundreds of recent projects from around the world. The most efficient way to search this collection is to click on the "Advanced Search" option at the left side of the page. Then, under "Building Type," you can choosing "Housing," "Industrial Buildings," and other options.
Documentation of about 850 recent building projects organized by building types (that is to say, the functional purpose of the building.) Typical results include a project description, drawings, and photographs. Essays discussing major types are also available. Especially strong in housing and it’s variations but also including libraries, museums, schools and industrial, office and sacred buildings.
Provides product information, "how-to," news, etc., pertaining to green design.
BuildingGreen Suite integrates online versions of GreenSpec product listings, high-quality articles about green buildings, peer-to-peer comments, project case studies, and full text access to Environmental Building News from 2004 to date. This information is searchable and cross-referenced by CSI MasterFormat division, LEED credit, or green topic. Each article, product listing, and case study also lists related content and information sources. Creating a free personal account will allow you to comment on articles and participate in discussion threads.
A source for learning about architectural and industrial design products. The "Advanced Search" allows you to select products by composition, usage, processing, environmental sustainability, physical properties, and more.
This database serves as a resource for designers in their search for new and/or unique materials. Material ConneXion currently holds 2,000+ material samples of architectural, landscape architectural, interior and industrial design products. Material samples include an index of manufacturer, material composition, environmental/sustainability, and descriptive information. "Individual users may not download, on any single day, more than thirty (30) materials from the Database."