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Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Art & Architecture Collection

Researching an Architectural Structure

The process of researching an architectural structure can be challenging, and involves the use of specialized published materials. This guide discusses the strategies for such research, and identifies several key resources that can be found in The New York Public Library. In particular, the Art & Architecture Division has rich collections of materials of interest to architecture students and scholars, and those interested in learning more about the world around them.

If you need further assistance, visit our reference desk in Room 300, or e-mail us at artref@nypl.org

Basic Resources

CATNYP | Dictionary Catalog | Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals

CATNYP

CATNYP is the online catalog of The New York Public Library’s four Research Libraries.  It is easily accessible via the World Wide Web at http://catnyp.nypl.org. For general instructions on using CATNYP, please consult Using the Library's Online Catalog. The following information is specific to the subject of Architectural Research.

CATNYP allows searching by author, title, keyword, and subject.  A subject search will generally yield good results, but only if you know the appropriate Library of Congress subject headings for your topic.  You will learn more about subject headings in the Research Strategies section of this Guide.

Architecture Domestic Italy
Apartment Houses
Architecture France 17^th century
Architecture New York State New York

If you do not know the Library of Congress subject headings for your topic, it will be easier to perform a word search. A word search will generally retrieve more items, though many of them may not be relevant. When performing a word search, be sure to use the word "and" between each term:

Architecture and New York City
Skyscrapers and United States

After you retrieve your results in a word search, scan the record of one of the items. You will see the item's subject headings listed, and can then perform a subject search, if desired.

Dictionary Catalog

The Dictionary Catalog of the Art and Architecture Division contains some material, cataloged before 1972, not found in the on-line catalog such as periodical articles and some oversized books. This is particularly helpful for turn-of-the-century and early 20th-century architectural articles as well as some rare and valuable books. It is organized by author or subject. Title entries are only listed for works in a series, or a monograph that does not have an author listed.

The Avery Index

The Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals is the best resource for finding articles on all aspects of architecture, including architectural aspects of archaeology, interior design, housing, city planning & landscape architecture. The index includes a large number of architects' obituaries, a rich source of biographical information.  The Avery index is available in bound volumes, as well as electronically, for material dating from 1934 to the present.  Electronic access is available from computers in any of the Library’s Reading Rooms.

Key Reference Titles

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries | Periodical Indexes | Other Resources

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects ( New York: Free Press: London: Collier Macmillan, 1982)
Consists of four volumes and is an excellent resource for information on architects. Arranged alphabetically, covering architects internationally through the ages, it features articles with illustrations. At the end of each article is a chronological list of works, followed by a bibliography. All articles are signed. At the back of volume four is an excellent index of buildings by name. This is helpful in locating an individual structure without prior knowledge of the architect.

Biographical Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased) by Henry Withey (Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1956).
This work contains entries on nearly two thousand men and women, all deceased. Each entry carries birth and death dates and a short entry on the architect, along with references indicating from where the information was obtained. This is a good source for well-known and more obscure architects.

Architects in Practice, New York City, 1840-1900 by Dennis Steadman Francis ( New York: Committee for the Preservation of Architectural Records, 1979) Architects in Practice New York City 1900-1940 by James Ward (Union, N.J: J&D Associates, [1989])
Published for the Committee for the Preservation of Architectural Records, each work follows a similar format. Compiled by searching directories of the five boroughs between 1840 and 1900, Francis’ Directory lists architects with their addresses and room numbers.  Ward's volume includes the firm's official landmarks in New York, when known.

The Encyclopedia of World Art (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1959-1983)
Comprised of 16 volumes and has excellent articles written and signed by internationally renowned scholars. Accompanied by an extensive bibliography, it includes photographs, plans and sections. The index is extensive and provides access to specific structures listed under their city.  (ie: Florence - Strozzi Chapel.)

Dictionary of Art (New York: Grove, 1996)
An update to the Encyclopedia of World Art.  Comprised of 33 volumes, plus an index , architecture is extensively covered. Articles are written by scholars and experts in the field and each one is signed. This resource is also available in electronic format.

Periodical Indexes

Oftentimes, an entire book is not written about an architect or a building. This is especially true for lesser known architects and buildings that are not famous. However, you could find within a periodical article floor plans, facade illustrations, and even elevations. And, if the article appears in a journal that is scholarly, there may be footnotes and a bibliography that can lead you to further sources.

The Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals

As discussed earlier, this is the single best resource for finding articles on architects or architectural structures. Indexing over 1,000 periodicals published worldwide, its subjects include: archaelogy, architecture, architectural design, city planning, historic preservation, history of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and urban planning.  In hard copy the index is now up to its seventeenth supplement, published in 1996. The more current electronic version is available from computers in the Library’s reading rooms.

Art Index ( New York: H.W. Wilson, 1932- )

Another excellent source for periodical articles, dating back to 1929. Also available electronically, it has many access points from which you can search: author, subject, title words, journal name, organization and year, or any combination of the above. The electronic version is divided into two parts. The Art Index covers 1984 to the present and Art Index Retrospective covers 1929 to 1984.

(RILA): Repertoire International de la Literature de l'Art (Williamstown, Mass: College Art Association of America, 1975- 1989)

Repertoire d'Art et d'Archeologie (Paris: Editions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. 1st ser., v.1-68, 1910-64. N.s., v.1- , (annee 1964) 1965- 1989)

Two additional indexes that were published abroad and include references to foreign language journals. Both are very scholarly. RILA indexes books, periodical articles, conference proceedings, festschriften, collected essays, exhibition catalogues, museum publications, and doctoral dissertations. Some abstracts are provided.

BHA: The Bibliography of the History of Art = Bibliographie d'Histoire de l'Art (Vandoeuvre-l'es-Nancy, France: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de L'information Scientifique et Technique: Santa Monica, California: J. Paul Getty Trust, Getty Art History Information Program, 1991- ).

In 1989 RILA and Repertoire merged to form BHA.  Published bilingually in French and English, BHA covers European art from the 4th century to the present, and North & South American art from the European discover of the Americas to the present. It includes the fine arts, decorative & applied arts, industrial design and photography. It is also available in an electronic format (CD Rom) with powerful search capabilities as well as extensive summaries attached to articles.

Other Resources

For non-book materials The New York Public Library Artist Files (Alexandria, VA: Chadwyck-Healey Inc., [1989] contain some information on architects. Although concentrating on artists primarily, these microfiche files are a good place to check for ephemeral material: clippings, announcements, newspaper articles, etc. are all included. This file which was developed during the Works Progress Administration. Its coverage ends in 1972.

Newspaper indexes may also be helpful in tracking down an architect or a specific building. It's possible that when the building was constructed or opened it may have been newsworthy due to the prestigious nature of the architectural firm, prestigious nature of the building, design, cost, etc. In addition to searching national newspapers, newspapers of that city would be particularly useful.  Check the Newspaper Research Guide for assistance in this area.

Apart from the extensive holdings at The New York Public Library, there are other Art & Architecture Libraries whose holdings should be consulted. In New York City both the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as the Museum of Modern Art contain many helpful architectural resources for study.

Research Strategies

There are five approaches that may be followed when researching a specific building:

Building Name | Architect's Name | Building Type | Building Style| Geography

Research Through the Name of the Building

Famous named structures may be found directly under their own names in CATNYP (i.e., Flatiron Building). You can try both a subject search and a keyword search, to see which produces the best results.

Listings by building name may also be found in Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects (see Index of Works in volume 4) and Encyclopedia of World Art.

 Research Through the Architect

This is often the best general approach. If you do not know the name of the architect, and if the building is in New York City, use the AIA Guide to New York City to determine it. There are comparable guides for other major American cities.

If the structure is a well-known, named building (i.e., Taj Mahal) use the index section in Volume 4 of the Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects to determine the architect.

Research Through the Type of Building

If there is not an entire book on your building, there may be a chapter or section in a broader subject category. Try to find a subject heading that is specific to your building project. Remember that subject headings may vary for the online catalog and for the Dictionary Catalog. Subject headings for the online catalog, CATNYP, should be checked in the volumes of the Library of Congress Subject Headings. For subject headings in the retrospective catalog, consult the Librarian. Subject headings in this guide are for CATNYP. Some examples are:

• Architecture, Domestic, Italy
• Architecture, Domestic, Designs and Plans
• Palaces, Austria, Vienna
• Cathedrals
• Skyscrapers
• Office Buildings
• Suburban Homes
• Apartment Houses
• Bungalows

Research Through the Period or Style

To broaden your search still further, approach it through the style or period of architecture. For example:

• Architecture, Baroque, France
• Architecture, Renaissance, Italy
• Architecture, Germany, 18th century
• Architecture, Oriental

Research through Geography

The broadest approach would be to search through the country. However, if your structure is obscure this may be difficult and you may only find a limited amount of information on your building. Please note that as your search gets broader and broader, the amount of information that you find on a specific structure will probably be small.

• Architecture, Spain
• Architecture, New York State, New York

Resources in the Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy

The Milstein Division of US History, Local History and Genealogy, located on the first floor in Room 121, holds many items of interest to those studying architecture of US cities. It is particularly strong in its collections relating to New York City.

Photographic Views of New York City: 1870’s—1970’s.
This microfiche collection reproduces over 54,000 original photographs that mark the development of New York City and its architecture. It is indexed by three volumes, organized by street, building and subject.

Lloyd Acker Collection--Views of New York City Buildings 1935-75. ( *ZI-300)
This microfilm collection is indexed by street and house number and is valuable for views of facades of less significant buildings.

Card Index to Illustrations in Books
Good for researching types of buildings such as hotels, restaurants, monuments, etc.

Resources in the Map Division

For the serious researcher, there may be information on buildings in New York city as well as other localities in the United States found in the Sanborn maps and other fire insurance and property atlases. These materials begin in the mid-nineteenth century and may offer street addresses, building footprints, dimensions, block and lot information, heights of buildings and materials used in construction.

The collection also includes other property maps of New York City, especially Bromley, Hyde, Perris, REDI, Robinson, in addition to the Sanborn maps, at the block and lot level from the 1850s to the present. Property evaluation and ownership data for all five boroughs is available on microfiche.

Resources available at the Science, Industry and Business Library

Located at 188 Madison Avenue (between 34th and 35th streets) this library contains some of the materials relating to architectural research. Certain structures such as bridges, airports, arches, etc. are considered engineering projects and materials relating to these, as well as all forms of construction, are found there. Occasionally there is overlap, such as with well-known architects such as Eero Saarinen and the TWA Terminal at Kennedy airport. In these cases, material will be found at both SIBL and in the Art and Architecture Division.

Where to Go for More Help

This resource guide is a small sample of what The New York Public Library can offer you in your research. For further assistance, the librarians of The New York Public Library are here to help you.

Art & Architecture Division, Humanities and Social Sciences Library
Located in Room 300, the Reference Desk is staffed during all hours the library is open. We can assist you in getting started with your research, or help you with any stumbling blocks you have encountered.

• Tuesday, Wednesday - 11am-7:30pm; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - 10am-6pm
• E-mail Reference Service is also available

Science, Industry and Business Library, Research Libraries of The New York Public Library

Research relating to engineering structures such as bridges and airports are covered at SIBL.  Located at 188 Madison Avenue, the Information Services Desk is on the lower level in the Research Library area.

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10am- 8pm; Friday and Saturday 10am- 6pm
• SIBL's Telephone Reference: 212- 592-7000.
• E-reference form is also available

Ask a Librarian Online, The Branch Libraries of The New York Public Library
Ask a Librarian Online enables New York Public Library cardholders to ask questions online and receive answers via e-mail. We can only answer brief factual questions. We may also direct you to sources, such as web pages or print material, where you will find information on your topic.

 

Written by Lee Robinson, Librarian.