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RESEARCH GUIDE: SENIOR PROJECT
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Don’t forget to back up your work!
- Save early, save often, and save to multiple locations. Use your Z: drive and two USB drives. Take pictures of your hand work, process work and critique comments, and back those pictures up along with your other digital files.
In the Library
Architectural Record
Each issue focuses on a different building type, both commercial and residential, and includes case studies with photographs, plans and elevations
Contract Magazine
Each issue focuses on a different sector of commercial design and includes case studies with photographs, plans and elevations
The Designer’s Guide to Doing Research : Applying Knowledge in Practice for Design Excellence
by Sally Augustin and Cindy Coleman
Provides a complete guide to the research process for architecture and interior design
A Designer’s Research Manual : Succeed in Design by Knowing Your Clients and What They Really Need
by Jennifer Visocky O’Grady and Kenneth Visocky O’Grady
Walks designers through the research-based process of developing any type of design solution
Evidence-Based Design for Interior Designers
by Linda L. Nussbaumer
Examines the process of conducting research and using research to inform design decisions, and includes case studies of education, healthcare and hospitality spaces
The Green Studio Handbook : Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design
by Alison G. Kwok and Walter T. Grondzik
Reviews sustainable strategies for commercial building envelopes, lighting, heating, cooling, energy, water and waste
Materials for Design
by Victoria Ballard Bell with Patrick Rand
Covers glass, concrete, wood, metal, and plastic, with case studies featuring innovative uses of these materials in architecture and design
People Places : Design Guidelines for Urban Open Space
edited by Clare Cooper Marcus and Carolyn Francis
Case studies include photographs, plans, and lists of both successful and unsuccessful design features of plazas, parks, and outdoor spaces for campuses, preschools, elementary schools, hospitals, and housing for the elderly
Problem Seeking : An Architectural Programming Primer
by William Peña and Steven Parshall
Explains the process of programming a space, whether residential or commercial, with diagrams and illustrations
Programming for Design : From Theory to Practice
by Edith Cherry
Explains the process of programming a space, whether residential or commercial, with diagrams, illustrations and case studies
Research-Inspired Design : A Step-by-Step Guide for Interior Designers
by Lily B. Robinson and Alexandra T. Parman
Explains how to conduct research and use that research to inform the design
The Sourcebook of Contemporary Green Architecture
by Sergi Costa Duran and Julio Fajardo Herrero
Features a wide range of commercial, institutional and residential architecture, landscape and urban planning projects around the world
William Rawn Associates Architects
edited by Driss Fatih
Includes case studies of libraries, performing arts facilities, college and university buildings, courthouses, fire stations, temples and chapels, and other commercial, institutional and residential projects
Online
AIA COTE Top Ten by Varun Kohli - Find Award-Winning Projects
Each year, the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) selects 10 projects that demonstrate excellence in sustainability and produce in-depth case studies, including photographs and plans. This website lets you search for AIA COTE Top Ten award-winning projects by project type (residential, hospitality, etc.), climate zone, location, site context (urban, suburban or rural), square footage, and award year.
BRIK - Building Research Information Knowledgebase
Offers online access to peer-reviewed research projects and case studies in all facets of building, from predesign, design, and construction through occupancy and reuse. Project Profiles are brief descriptions with no additional information, while other types of entries include PDF files with much more detail
Building Types Studies | Architectural Record
Presents case studies, including photographs and plans, featuring a wide range of commercial, institutional and residential projects, organized by project type. Projects in the Adaptive Reuse and Performing Arts categories might be particularly useful
Case Studies and High Performance Building Database | Whole Building Design Guide
Provides case studies of a wide range of new construction and renovation projects, ranging from single-family homes to large commercial and institutional buildings
Case Studies, Publications, and Tools | Enterprise
Features case studies of multifamily affordable housing units, information about straw bale construction and water use in buildings, and design toolkits for the process of designing with a community
EDRA : The Environmental Design Research Association
Provides articles and abstracts about research related to the built environment
IIDA Knowledge Center
Lists articles, research reports and scholarly journal articles related to interior design. Search by keyword (for example, autism), or click on Research to browse by design topic or project type
InformeDesign : Where Research Informs Design
Provides summaries, written specifically for designers and architects, of the latest research related to how natural and built environments affect the people who use and inhabit them (archived version available through the Wayback Machine on the Internet Archive)
Research 101 | EBD Resources | InformeDesign
Addresses research basics including concepts, vocabulary, and examples relevant to both academic research studies and product information from manufacturers’ studies
Universal Design Case Study Collection | Institute for Human Centered Design
Includes case studies of commercial, institutional and residential projects with universal design solutions
In the Library
50 Design Questions Answered
by Arup Group Ltd.
Showcases innovative design solutions that enable people to live safer, healthier and better lives
Architecture Transformed : New Life for Old Buildings
by Nora Richter Greer
Features adaptive reuse projects for theaters, museums, corporate headquarters, libraries, and cathedrals around the world
By the People : Designing a Better America
by Cynthia E. Smith
Explores ways in which design can challenge poverty and social inequality through housing, community centers, libraries, arts facilities, parks, transit, and more
Design Revolution : 100 Products That Empower People
by Emily Pilloton
Features products designed to address big problems through good design
Good Deeds, Good Design : Community Service Through Architecture
by Bryan Bell
Highlights projects that serve communities traditionally underserved by professional architects and designers
Industry of Nature : Another Approach to Ecology
by Elodie Ternaux
Describes nature’s solutions to challenges including protection, temperature regulation, self-cleaning, and many more
Key Interiors Since 1900
by Graeme Brooker
Focuses on commercial, residential and institutional interiors designed for existing buildings
The Power of Pro Bono : 40 Stories About Design for the Public Good by Architects and Their Clients
edited by John Cary and Public Architecture
Highlights pro bono design projects, including housing, schools, libraries, art galleries, clinics, camps, and community centers
Rematerial : From Waste to Architecture
by Alejandro Bahamón and Maria Camila Sanjinés
Showcases projects that use discarded materials, from paper cups to cargo containers, as building materials
Rural Studio at Twenty : Designing and Building in Hale County, Alabama
by Andrew Freear, et al.
Explores the sustainable houses and community buildings designed and built by the students of Auburn University’s Rural Studio
Thriving Beyond Sustainability : Pathways to a Resilient Society
by Andres R. Edwards
Explores projects around the world that focus on environmental conservation, social transformation, and ecological design
Vitamin Green
by Sara Goldsmith
Highlights sustainable buildings, interiors, landscapes and products around the world
Online
1+ OnePlus
Highlights hundreds of pro bono projects of over 1400 architecture and design firms working in conjunction with 1+, a program of Public Architecture that connects these firms with nonprofits who need their services. Projects include clinics, schools, libraries, shelters, cultural and community centers, housing, museums, and more
Abduzeedo Design Inspiration & Tutorials
Showcases recent architecture, interior design, product design, typography, illustration and more
Architecture Sans Frontières
Features projects by Architecture Sans Frontières, an organization committed to addressing social and environmental issues related to the built environment. Their quarterly Newsletter and bi-annual Awards highlight the latest work of their members
Civic and Public Architecture & Interiors | Contract Magazine
Articles highlight civic and public projects, covering sustainability, space planning, interior design, wayfinding, codes, building systems, and products
Design for Good | DISD Library on Pinterest
Brings together socially responsible architecture and design projects from some of the best online sources
GOOD Magazine
A magazine for and about “all of us who give a damn”, highlighting a wide range of efforts to make the world a better place
Government/Institutional Interiors | Interiors & Sources
Features government and institutional projects from around the world, ranging from a teen center in Harlem to NATO Headquarters in Brussels
Impact Design Hub
Provides news and information for and about architects, designers and others who are using to design to make the world a better place
Institutional Projects | Interior Design Magazine
Features institutional projects from around the world, ranging from housing to museums to airports
Projects | Rural Studio
Showcases Rural Studio projects, designed and built by architecture students at Auburn University, including houses, libraries, parks, community centers, churches, government buildings, and more
Public Interest Design | ArchDaily
Highlights new socially responsible projects around the world, with photographs, floor plans, sections, and site plans
The SEED Network | Case Studies
Features projects that used the SEED (Social Economic Environmental Design) standard to measure the social, economic and environmental impacts
Vision: A Living Systems Approach to Design | Integrative Design Collaborative
The Vision, Trajectory, Mission, Integrative, and Regenerative sections of IDC’s website provide a framework for thinking about green design, and explain their Whole System Integration Process for design that goes beyond sustaining to regenerating
In the Library
Brand Identity Essentials : 100 Principles for Designing Logos and Building Brands
by Kevin Budelmann, Yang Kim, and Curt Wozniak
Covers everything from basic design principles to the relationship between brand identities and graphic design elements
Building to Suit the Climate : A Handbook
by Gerhard Hausladen, Petra Liedl and Mike de Saldanha
Provides design strategies tailored to cool, temperate, subtropical, tropical, and desert climates
Environmental Building News
Covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, with diagrams and illustrations throughout
Environmental Psychology for Design
by Dak Kopec
Explores the interaction between environments and human behavior, highlighting how differences in age, gender and cultural background influence that interaction
The Great Good Place : Cafés, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community
by Ray Oldenburg
Explores the idea of the “third place,” after home and work, where people gather, hang out, and build community
Green Building Illustrated
by Francis D.K. Ching and Ian M. Shapiro
Explores and illustrates green buildings methods and materials, including passive design, energy efficiency, heating and cooling systems, water use, and more
Inclusive Design : A Universal Need
by Linda L. Nussbaumer
Covers the principles of universal design in residential, commercial and product design. Includes plans and elevations
Public Toilet Design : From Hotels, Bars, Restaurants, Civic Buildings and Businesses Worldwide
by Cristina del Valle Schuster
Features nearly 100 well-designed restrooms in hotels, bars, parks, banks, malls, airports, businesses and other public and commercial spaces around the world
Designing the Sustainable Site : Integrated Design Strategies for Small-Scale Sites and Residential Landscapes
by Heather Venhaus
Features design solutions to minimize damage to, and even restore, the natural environment as well as human health and well-being
Sun, Wind & Light : Architectural Design Strategies
by G. Z. Brown and Mark DeKay
Explores passive design strategies to achieve energy efficiency
Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers
by Lisa M. Tucker
Covers structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and interior systems as well as indoor air quality, acoustics, construction, and building regulations, with case studies
Sustainable Commercial Interiors
by Penny Bonda and Katie Sosnowchik
Considers all areas of sustainable design for commercial interiors, including water, energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, ratings and certifications, and making the business case for going green
Sustainable Renovation : Strategies for Commercial Building Systems and Envelope
by Lisa Gelfand and Chris Duncan
Examines strategies for improving the performance of commercial and institutional buildings
Sustainable Residential Interiors
by Kari Foster, Annette Stelmack, and Debbie Hindman
Covers materials, building systems, finishes, and furnishings
Time-Saver Standards
The Time-Saver Standards series provides design, architecture and construction standards for all types of projects, including standard layouts and plans
Wayfinding : Designing and Implementing Graphic Navigational Systems
by Craig Berger
Covers signage systems for all types of facilities, including healthcare, corporate, sports, and education, with guidelines for accessibility throughout
- SEE MORE ON OTHER DISD LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDES:
- Sustainability Research Hub
- Research Guide: Building Codes + Standards
- Research Guide: Environmental Psychology
- Research Guide: Human Factors
- Research Guide: Universal Design
- RECOMMEND A BOOK, MAGAZINE OR FILM
Online
Advanced Energy Design Guides | IES - Illuminating Engineering Society
Free design guides for education, healthcare, hospitality, office, and retail buildings, with information about daylighting, energy conservation, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Requires free registration
BuildingGreen
Provides information about and detailed guides to green building policy, the design and construction process, location and site, water management, energy efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality
Buildings & Sites | United States Access Board
Covers codes, standards and guidelines for all types of public and commercial spaces, including government facilities
Energy Basics | U.S. Department of Energy
Explains renewable energy options (including biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind) and energy efficiency design strategies including energy-efficient daylighting, passive solar systems, and energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and water systems
Environmental Building News | BuildingGreen
Covers the latest products, materials, methods, and regulations for sustainable construction, with diagrams and illustrations throughout
Green Building Standards and Certification Systems | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different types of U.S. and international green building standards, green product certifications, and green building rating and certification systems, with links to relevant codes, standards and organizations
Health Product Declaration Collaborative
HPDs (Health Product Declarations) detail the material contents and potential health hazards of building products in a standard way that allows you to compare the eco-friendliness of products and materials. The HPD Collaborative provides the standard format and instructions to companies; each individual vendor is responsible for completing and publishing HPDs for their products.
The International EPD System: Environmental Product Declarations
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) detail the life-cycle environmental impact of a product in a standard way that allows you to compare the eco-friendliness of products and materials. All EPDs are publically available and free to download.
Location & Site | BuildingGreen
Offers news and detailed information about site selection, site planning, landscaping, regional planning, designing connections to nature, and more
Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance | Whole Building Design Guide
Details strategies for improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of existing buildings
Water Conservation | Whole Building Design Guide
Highlights design strategies for conserving water, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
WBDG - The Whole Building Design Guide
Provides superb resources for the planning and construction of all building types, including guidelines for good design, project management tips, and tools for ensuring code compliance, estimating costs, analyzing energy use, life-cycle assessment, and more
- SEE MORE ON OTHER DISD LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDES:
- Sustainability Research Hub
- Research Guide: Building Codes + Standards
- Research Guide: Environmental Psychology
- Research Guide: Human Factors
- Research Guide: Universal Design
- RECOMMEND A WEBSITE
For more on designing specific building types, check out these DISD Library Research Guides:
In the Library
Green Building Materials : A Guide to Product Selection and Specification
by Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows
Covers labels, standards, certifications, selection and specification of materials
Interior Design Magazine
New products are featured throughout each issue, and Spring and Fall Market Tabloids focus exclusively on interior design products and materials
Interiors & Sources
Focuses on commercial products, materials and projects
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
by Julian M. Allwood and Jonathan M. Cullen
Advocates changes throughout the lifecycle of materials to use less energy, use less material, recycle more material, generate less waste, and selecting more sustainable materials
- SEE MORE IN THE LIBRARY ON THE PRODUCTS & MATERIALS RESEARCH GUIDE
- RECOMMEND A BOOK, MAGAZINE OR FILM
Online
ASID Interior Design Product Finder
Features products for commercial and residential projects, with the option to search vendors by location
Certified Green Products Guide | SCS Global Services
Search for products and materials that have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) or a FloorScore, Indoor Advantage, BIFMA’s level, or Green Squared certification
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute : Find Certified Products
Search for products and materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified
Energy Star Certified Products
Search for products and appliances that are Energy Star Certified, including products for both commercial and residential applications
Evaluating and Selecting Green Products | Whole Building Design Guide
Describes the process of and tools for selecting green building materials and products, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Green Building Standards and Certification Systems | Whole Building Design Guide
Find explanations of different types of U.S. and international green building standards, green product certifications, and green building rating and certification systems, with links to relevant codes, standards and organizations.
How to Read an EPD: 7 Tips from the Field (Video) | BuildingGreen
In this 8-minute video, Arup engineer Frances Yang explains how to get what you need from environmental product declarations (EPDs)
Product and Building Materials Red List | Green Building Alliance
Provides a list of chemicals and materials known to harm human health, and provides alternatives to those materials
Sustainable Furniture Specification Guide
Details items to consider when selecting furniture, including VOC levels, recycled or salvaged content, recyclability, supply chain and manufacturing process, certifications and ratings, cost, and more
Sustainable Product Guide | UL Environment
Includes products certified by UL Environment to meet one or more standard for sustainability, including GREENGUARD, VOC emissions, water efficiency, recycled content, Environmental Product Declarations, and more
WaterSense Labeled Products | US EPA
Search for products with the WaterSense label
DISD Presentation Board Requirements
The front of each board must be labeled with the name of the student(s) and with the year and semester completed
Each board should measure 16 x 20 inches, 20 x 30 inches, or 24 x 36 inches
In the Library
100 Things Every Presenter Needs to Know About People
by Susan Weinschenk
Provides tips for creating effective presentations, based on what we know about how people think, learn, see, make decisions, and react to others. Each of the 100 tips is explained in 2 pages, with a summary of the research, an example, and a “takeaway” for you to implement
Hybrid Drawing Techniques : Design Process and Presentation
by Gilbert Gorski
Demonstrates ways of combining digital and hand drawings to create compelling visual presentations of your designs
Interior Design Visual Presentation : A Guide to Graphics, Models, and Presentation Techniques
by Maureen Mitton
Covers drawings, sketches, renderings, models, presentation boards, portfolios, and résumés, with examples of each
Own the Room : Business Presentations that Persuade, Engage & Get Results
by David Booth, Deborah Shames and Peter Desberg
Covers ways of capturing and keeping the attention of your audience, stage fright, presenting in teams, body language, and designing good PowerPoint slides
Resonate : Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences
by Nancy Duarte
Explains how to craft a compelling story that will engage your audience, with examples ranging from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Steve Jobs
Online
5 Places to Download Free, Ethnically Diverse Render People | ArchDaily
Sources for free, high-resolution images of people that can be used in renderings and perspectives, with a focus on ethnic diversity
Nonscandinavia
Free, high-resolution images of people that can be used in renderings and perspectives, with a focus on ethnic and cultural diversity
Presentation Preparation: How To Be Above Average
Offers tips on preparing for a presentation and explains why preparation matters
Presentation Tips | Garr Reynolds
Provides tips on organizing, preparing for, and delivering presentations from the author of Presentation Zen. Find more tips and ideas on his blog
Six Minutes : Speaking and Presentation Skills
Provides tips, tricks, guidelines, and advice on writing and delivering presentations, as well as designing PowerPoint slides and other visuals
Skalgubbar - Cut out people by Teodor J. E.
Free, high-resolution images of people that can be used in renderings and perspectives
When your instructor doesn’t care how you cite as long as you do cite, make sure to include the information someone would need to find your source on their own. A citation for a case study might look like this:
“The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building” case study. AIA Top Ten. http://www.aiatopten.org/node/494.
Cite It Where You Use It
Every time you use a quotation, a piece of information, or an image from another source, cite the source right where you use it, whether it’s on your project board or in your paper, job book or presentation.
Include enough information to allow your audience to figure out which source (from your complete list at the end) you’re citing. For example, if you use the case study in the example above, the citation on your board or presentation slide might be “Edith Green”.
Check out this tutorial on Citing Sources Informally for more guidelines and examples to informally cite every source you use - whether it’s a book, magazine, website, blog or video - and avoid plagiarism.
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Please fill out as much information as you can to recommend a resource. If you are recommending a book, feel free to include an Amazon or Google Books link.