Guides and databases: Built Environment: Other resources

DVD collections

The Bartlett Library houses a collection of DVDs, including relevant feature films, documentaries and some Bartlett lecture series. These can be found via Explore and are generally available for one week loan.

In addition, the Library also provides access to Pidgeon Digital, an audio visual collection of illustrated talks by architects and related designers.

UCL Library Services also provides access to BoB National (Box of Broadcasts), an online archive of television and radio programmes dating from 2007.

Theses

In addition to the theses collections held by UCL Library Services, the Bartlett Library holds examples of dissertations for some of the built environment postgraduate programmes. Please contact the Bartlett Library for further information.

Stores service

Stores service
The UCL Library off-site store is a closed access collection which houses important research material not currently in high demand. Users can request store material for delivery to a number of UCL's libraries.

Web Resources

42 best architecture websites in the world (2021)
Blog bringing together an eclectic collection of architecture and design websites (ranked by monthly visits)
Archinect
First developed in 1997, Archinect aims to "make architecture more connected and open-minded, and bring together designers from around the world to introduce new ideas from all disciplines"

Architecture Foundation, The
Website of The Architecture Foundation, an independent architecture centre in the UK, which seeks to promote and encourage the best in contemporary architecture, and bring it to a wide public.
architecture.com
Web portal on the built environment, maintained by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Includes sections on reference, using an architect, careers, and debate. Can be searched or browsed.

Archtoolbox
"Technical and professional practice reference for architects". Also includes architecture book reviews under 'Professional Practice' heading.
Designers & Books
Features blogposts, articles and podcasts on architecture and design books (both recently published or showcasing a a particular theme or individual)
House of Commons Library
Find out how to use the resources of the House of Commons Library for your research. Further Tips and advice on how to make the best of this resource at https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/tips-for-navigating-this-website/
House of Commons Library: Data tools and resources
The Commons Library publishes datasets, dashboards, and other data tools on a range of topics. You can re-use this data freely and flexibly under the conditions of the Open Parliament Licence.
SAH Archipedia (Society of Architectural Historians)
Essays and photographic features on historic and contemporary American architecture, browsable by type, style, architect, material and State.
A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books
The blog reviews some of the latest publications on architecture and architects and provides a Blogroll of other sites and podcasts showcasing book reviews and links to open-access resources.
Women Writing Architecture
The site features an "ever-growing annotated bibliography, an open-access list of texts written by women about architecture. Created collaboratively through conversations, invitations and spontaneous suggestions, it is offered as a resource for gathering lists of texts, for encouragement, for finding new writers, and for insight into what is happening in the vivid realm where women speak up for themselves."

Online architecture archives

Fondation Le Corbusier
Browse a photographic archive of Le Corbusier's architectural projects and completed buildings.
Fondazione Renzo Piano
Photographic archive of buildings and architectural projects by Renzo Piano. Searchable by keyword, country, city, and other options. Specifications of each project are provided
Marcel Breuer Digital Archive (Syracuse University)
The Marcel Breuer Digital Archive represents a collaborative effort headed by Syracuse University Libraries to digitize over 70,000 drawings, photographs, letters and other materials related to the career of Marcel Breuer, one of the most influential architects and furniture designers of the twentieth century. You can browse the entire collection or search by keyword and further filter the results.
Matrix Open: Feminist Architecture Archive (MOfaa)
Matrix was a feminist architectural practice based in London during the 1980s. MOfaa "provides publicly accessible and easily available access to resources, for personal and collaborative interaction and re-use. It is being developed in collaboration with some original Matrix founders"
R. Buckminster Fuller Collection (Stanford University)
The R. Buckminster Fuller Collection documents the life and work of this 20th century polymath, and contains his personal archive, correspondence, manuscripts, drawings and audio-visual materials relating to his career as an architect, mathematician, inventor and social critic.

Audio and video elements, slides, and some indices have been digitally reformatted. They are currently available in the Department of Special Collections' reading room at Green Library, Stanford University.
Sci-Art
Media archive contains external video and audio content linked to the Sci-Art movement. Content covers topics such as architecture, design and urban planning.
US Modernist Library
The site is the "largest open digital archive of midcentury Modernist houses in the world" (including journal content, directories and other open access resources).
Walter Gropius Archive
Photographic archive of buildings and architectural projects by Walter Gropius (Bauhaus school), and digitised archival documents, including correspondence.

Special Collections, Archives and Exhibitions

Special Collections website
Collections of manuscripts, archives, rare books, personal papers and artefacts held at UCL.

Quick links

Streaming services

The library subscribes to two video streaming services: Kanopy whose materials can be found searching the Library catalogue and BoB National (Box of Broadcasts) a searchable database of TV and Radio Programmes (not on the catalogue)

BoB (Box of Broadcasts) Access for UCL students and staff only. Access to BoB is only permitted within the United Kingdom. Requires login with UCL username and password. BoB is Learning on Screen’s on demand TV and radio service for education allowing users to record programmes from over 75 free-to-air channels, access over 2.2 million broadcasts dating back to the 1970s, create playlists, clips and clip compilations; search programme transcripts and subtitles; embed content in VLEs and share on social media
Kanopy Providing video streaming to over 26,000 films including thousands of award-winning documentaries, training films and theatrical releases. The collection includes a number of leading producers, such as the Criterion Collection, PBS, Kino Lorber, New Day Films, The Great Courses, California Newsreel, BBC and hundreds more.