Research guide to architecture, design and civil engineering resources
Be efficient in your research and use the various databases, reference works and additional literature in the field of architecture, design and civil engineering.
Databases
We recommend that you search the databases in order to research and review up-to-date and discipline-specific content on a topic. They mostly contain references to resources as well as full text articles from journals. Depending on the database, additional types of publications such as conference reports, book chapters, pictures, videos and much more are included.
Overview
The table below provides an overview of the databases in the area of architecture and civil engineering. Please note that databases marked with an asterisk (*) require special access information. You will find more information in the details of each database.
| Name | Subject | Content |
|---|---|---|
| archINFORM | architecture | references |
| Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals | architecture | references |
| Building Types Online | architecture | full texts |
| DETAIL inspiration | architecture | full texts, images |
| E-Periodica | architecture, civil engineering, design | full texts |
| Knovel | engineering, material science | full texts, facts, interactive equations |
| Materialarchiv | material science | full texts, facts |
| MATREC | material science | full texts, facts |
| SCHADIS* | architecture, engineering | full texts, laws, standards |
* Requires access information. You will find more information in the details of each database.
Open access portals
Search for scientific publications that are worldwide freely available, also known as open access publications.
Reference works
Reference works are the ideal starting point for your research. In addition to defining concepts, they help you to gain an overview of a topic, narrow down a topic and find key concepts for future work.
All electronic reference works can be found and searched in ZHAW swisscovery. The selection of titles below provides you with a quick introduction to your specialist area. General reference works can also be found with the monolingual (in German) and multilingual dictionaries (in German).
| Title | Additional information |
|---|---|
| A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering | There are further reference works from Oxford on the topic of science and technology. |
| Companion to the History of Architecture | - |
| Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology | - |
| The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture | There are further reference works from Oxford on the topic of arts and architecture. |
Bachelor's and master's theses
Master’s theses are located in the University Library Winterthur and are available to borrow. You will find the request form in ZHAW swisscovery.
For bachelor’s theses, please contact the Academic Office of the School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering.
You may also be interested in
University Library Winterthur
Visit us at our Winterthur location in the Sulzer-Areal.
Courses at University Library Winterthur
We regularly offer courses and guided tours on a range of topics in Winterthur.
Managing references
Manage references, automatically insert quotations and create bibliographies.
University Library Winterthur
Courses at University Library Winterthur
Managing references
Visit us at our Winterthur location in the Sulzer-Areal.
We regularly offer courses and guided tours on a range of topics in Winterthur.
Manage references, automatically insert quotations and create bibliographies.