LibGuides: Construction Management, Architecture and Disaster Management: Resources

Architecture, Construction & Disaster Management Databases

Searching in databases is a great way to ensure you're getting the best possible search results. Try these architecture, construction management and disaster management databases to find resources that are most relevant to your discipline.

Art & Architecture Source (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Art research database covering a broad range of subjects from fine, decorative and commercial art, to various areas of architecture and architectural design. Includes full-text articles, indexing and abstracts.
Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Full-text coverage of topics including artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, plastics, hydroponics, computer science, chemical engineering, energy resources and robotics
ScienceDirect journals This link opens in a new window
Access full-text journal articles on architecture, construction and disaster management.
Artstor This link opens in a new window
Images in the arts, architecture, humanities and sciences, contributed by international museums, photographers, libraries, scholars, photo archives, artists and artists' estates.
ASCE Journals and Proceedings (American Society of Civil Engineers) This link opens in a new window
Access to journals, conference proceedings published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
ABI/INFORM Collection (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window
Access to articles on management techniques, theory, practice of business, and more. Includes some articles on construction and architecture.
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Covers international, scholarly and popular architecture and design journals including publications of professional associations in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia and USA.
Building Types Online This link opens in a new window
International collection of contemporary buildings built in the past 30 years, including houses, offices, industrial buildings, schools, museums and libraries, with building drawings, photos and case studies.
CuminCAD This link opens in a new window
A cumulative index of publications about computer aided architectural design. Includes bibliographic information about over 11,600 records from journals and conferences such as ACADIA, CAADRIA, eCAADe, DDSS and others.
ICE Virtual Library (Institution of Civil Engineers) This link opens in a new window
Comprehensive online civil engineering resource including archived material from 1836. Access to 34 peer-reviewed specialist Journals and over 1,500 print and ebooks. Produced by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
GreenBook This link opens in a new window
The GreenBook provides access to embodied carbon datasets covering individual materials, complex design assembly rates and whole building benchmarks. Suitable for Australia as well as the UK, US and selected EU locations.
Password required
Acumen This link opens in a new window
Up-to-date advisory material and news about managing an architectural practice and architectural projects. Acumen is produced by the Australian Institute of Architects.

Click here to access all databases the University of Newcastle subscribes to.

Further resources

Hunter Living Histories
The University of Newcastle Library’s Hunter Living Histories provides access to historical maps, architectural plans and drawings.

National construction code of Australia This link opens in a new window
The NCC Online covers the 3 volumes of the Building Code of Australia, as well as the Guide to the BCA and the BCA Archive. Volume 3 is the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA). Access is free but you are required to register.
AccessEngineering This link opens in a new window
Instructional videos, calculators, interactive tables and charts across all engineering disciplines. Must create an account.
Birkhauser Basics eBook collection This link opens in a new window
Seven topical sections cover the key course areas: architectural design, presentation, construction, building technology, professional practice, landscape architecture and urbanism.

SIX Maps
This service provides access to cadastral and topographic information, satellite data and aerial photography for New South Wales.

DIGS Database (Geological Survey of NSW) This link opens in a new window
Full-text exploration reports, cartographic, geological and topographic maps, plus documents and publications produced by the New South Wales Department of Trade and Investment (Resources and Energy)

Professional Associations

It can be valuable to build your career prospects and networks by connecting with professional associations. You might like to engage with these architecture groups as a student, or even throughout your career.

Architects Accreditation Council of Australia AACA is the national voice for architect registration boards around Australia. AACA owns the National Standard of Competency for Architects. The National Standard underpins all assessment processes including the accreditation of architecture programs leading to registration as an architect in Australia.
Association of Consulting Architects The Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) leads the discussion on business matters in architecture in Australia. The association is a registered employer body under the Fair Work Commission, representing architectural employers.
Australian Architecture Association The Australian Architecture Association has been formed to broaden the promotion of architecture in Australia. This will lead to a greater understanding of the value of good contemporary architecture to society and a growth in the culture of architecture.
Australian Institute of Architects Established in 1930, the Australian Institute of Architects is the peak body for the architecture profession in Australia. We represent over 11,500 members globally and are dedicated to improving our built environment and the communities we call home by promoting quality, responsible, sustainable design.
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) leads a dynamic and respected profession: creating great places to support healthy communities and a sustainable planet.
Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) is the peak professional standards body for quantity surveyors and other built environment cost professionals.
Design Institute of Australia As Australia’s peak industry body for professional design, the DIA represents Australian design and designers both domestically and internationally.

It can be valuable to build your career prospects and networks by connecting with professional associations. You might like to engage with these construction management groups as a student, or even throughout your career.

Australian Construction Industry Forum Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) is the meeting place for leaders of the construction industry in Australia. ACIF facilitates and supports an active dialogue between the key players in residential and non-residential building, and engineering construction, other industry groups, and government agencies.
Australian Constructors Association Established in August 1994, the Australian Constructors Association is a trusted voice for industry. We collaborate extensively across the sector and represent the views of industry leaders to help shape government policies to ensure Australian communities receive high-performing assets and services from the infrastructure, building, resources and energy industries.
Australian Institute of Building The AIB is a professional member based organisation established to represent construction industry individuals from around Australia.
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) is the peak body of key organisations committed to a sustainable built environment in Australia. ASBEC’s membership consists of industry and professional associations, non-government organisations and government observers who are involved in the planning, design, delivery and operation of our built environment, and are concerned with the social and environmental impacts of this sector.
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia is the peak body for the heavy construction materials industry in Australia. Our members operate cement manufacturing and distribution facilities, concrete batching plants, hard rock quarries and sand and gravel extraction operations throughout the nation. CCAA membership is made up of the majority of material producers and suppliers, and ranges from large global companies, to SMEs and family operated businesses.
Green Building Council Australia Established in 2002, our purpose is to lead the sustainable transformation of the built environment. We Rate We rate the sustainability of buildings, fitouts and communities through Australia’s largest national, voluntary, holistic rating system – Green Star. We Educate We educate industry, government practitioners and decision-makers, and promote green building programs, technologies, design practices and operations. We Advocate We advocate policies and programs that support our vision and purpose.
Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre The Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre (SBEnrc) is the successor to the CRC for Construction Innovation. Established on 1 January 2010, the SBEnrc is a key research broker between industry, government and research organisations servicing the built environment industry. The three research streams focus on environmental, social and economic sustainability, areas identified by national industry stakeholders as the key areas that will drive productivity and industry development in the built environment industry.

Australasian Institute of Emergency Services The Australasian Institute of Emergency Services offers members of emergency service and affiliate organisations the opportunity to be a member of a professional body dedicated to the progression and recognition of the Emergency Service role in the community.
Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience AIDR creates, grows, and supports a range of networks; provides opportunities for learning, development, and innovation; shares knowledge and resources to enable informed decision making and action; and facilitates thought leadership through national conversations.
International Association for Disaster Preparedness and Response DERA provides professional support, resource-sharing, leadership opportunities and professional networking for members and is actively involved in providing critical emergency assistance in response to disasters around the world.

Let us know what you want

Is there anything more you would like us to include in this guide? Let us know by going to our Feedback page and we will do our very best to add the resources you want.

Did you know that there are many great textbooks and resources that are available for free?

Open Educational Resources (OER) are defined by UNESCO as

“… teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions....”

The following textbooks are examples of resources that are 100% free and available for you to use during your degree and beyond!

Basic Concepts of Structural Design for Architecture Students by Anahita Khodadadi
Publication Date: 2021
Expanding Fields of Architectural Discourse and Practice: Curated Works from the P.E.A.R. Journal by Butcher, Matthew (editor) O'Shea, Megan (editor)
ISBN: 9781787356368
Publication Date: 2020

For information about OER's, please see our guide.

Merlot
Includes a range of freely available courses, texts and learning exercises. Search by discipline to find relevant resources.
edX
Includes courses from Australian and international universities, plus lecture notes, reading lists, open access textbooks and other related course materials.
Academic Earth
Academic Earth was launched on the premise that everyone deserves access to a world-class education. It includes links to a range of freely available tertiary level courses.

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Oxford Dictionary of Architecture by James Stevens Curl and Susan Wilson
Publication Date: 2021
A Dictionary of Construction, Surveying and Civil Engineering by Christopher A. Gorse, David Johnston, Martin Pritchard
Publication Date: 2020
A Dictionary of Disaster Management by Olivier Rubin and Rasmus Dahlberg
Publication Date: 2017

Your Subject Librarians

This guide has been created by University of Newcastle Librarians who work with your schools to make sure you have access to the resources you need. The Librarians supporting construction management and architecture are:

Teaching Liaison Librarian

Jessica Davis

Research Liaison Librarian

Gemma Milton