We have a number of architectural atlases and anthologies which contain basic information on your building and can be a good starting point for your research. Search the box below on the architect or firm, the building name, the geographic location (e.g. Canada and architecture, Toronto and architecture) or the type of buildings (e.g. church and architecture).
TIP: Our Key Buildings series comes with a CD-ROM with dwg files on each building.
The Great Buildings Collection is a good resource for international buildings. For Toronto buildings, try the TOBuilt website.
We may have a book that covers your building. Search the box above on architect/firm (e.g. Norman Foster or KPMB), or building name, architectural period, geography (e.g. architecture and Toronto), or type of building (architecture and church).
Search Art & Architecture Complete. Be sure to uncheck the full-text box to find references to print journals.
If your building is in Canada be sure to search the CBCA Complete database for Canadian journals and newspapers that might feature your building.
Other online resources:
All George Brown College students are eligible to apply for a Toronto Public Library Card. This allows you to use the TPL databases, such as Avery Architectural Index, and to check out books. The main Reference Library at Yonge and Bloor has an excellent architecture collection. They have a number of print architecture journals that pre-date our print collection and a large architecture book collection.
Blueprints and specifications for many buildings in Toronto may be housed at one of the following locations:
The library has newspapers, magazines, and journals with information on Toronto buildings. You can also search our book collection. There are a number of books on the reserve shelf on modern Toronto architecture.
Toronto Heritage Register
The Toronto Heritage Register allows you to search for basic information on a number of historic buildings in Toronto. This basic information is found in the Heritage Property Detail record which can be searched either via the Heritage Register Search map or by using the Heritage Pro
perty Search tool.
The Heritage Property Detail record provides basic information on heritage buildings including:
All of this information will be useful when searching for information on
Architectural Index for Ontario
Toronto Reference Library's Architectural Index for Ontario is another good resource for basic information about historic buildings in Toronto. You can browse the index by designer/architect, building name, building type or street. The entry provides basic information on the building as well as an index to articles about the building.
Each listing also provides references to current and historical books and articles on the building.
Blueprints and specifications for many buildings in Toronto may be housed at one of the following locations:
If the original blueprints are not available, one can often find copies of the drawings in historical articles written at the time the building was built.
Toronto Archives (255 Spadina Rd - just down the street from the Casa Loma campus):
Key Tips:
To search for blueprints, start at the Toronto Archives Advanced Search Page.
If blueprints are available, you must create a Record Request Form to request the blueprints for the building. If you need assistance, contact your librarian Andrea Hall or call the City of Toronto Archives at 416-397-0778.
You can take non-flash pictures of blueprints and other records found at the archives.
Archives of Ontario (at York University subway stop - now only 35 minutes from Casa Loma!)
**Note: If you wish to view blueprints or records at the archives, they may need to be ordered 24-48 hours in advance. Speak to Archives reference desk staff for assistance (416-327-1600)**
Search the Archives of Ontario for drawings of many historic buildings in Toronto and Ontario. Collections from several architects who worked in Toronto and Ontario are housed at the Ontario Archives including
Start with our databases that have a Canadian focus.
Next, search the main search box below. This will allow you to simultaneously search a number of databases including Art and Architecture Complete and CPI.Q.
Databases A-Z | Journals by Title | Advanced Search
Google Books is another excellent way to find references to your building within books. Try the name of your building and architect in the Google Search. If the book is not available full-text, check the GBC Library catalogue or the Toronto Public Library catalogue for the book.
A guidebook to contemporary architecture in Toronto by 
Substance over Spectacle by 
Contemporary Canadian architecture : the mainstream and beyond by 
20th-Century World Architecture by 20th Century World Architectureportrays, for the first time, an overview of the finest built architecture from around the world completed between 1900 and 1999. The unprecedented global scope of this collection of over 750 key buildings juxtaposes architectural icons with regional masterpieces. Specially designed and commissioned graphics at the start of the atlas explore the changing economic and political contexts of architectural production throughout this fascinating century, and highlight the flow of architectural ideas and architects around the globe. The selection of projects brilliantly illustrates the built outcomes of these formal and cultural influences in every corner of the world, with some surprising revelations. Divided into six world regions and 29 sub-regions, over 80 countries are represented. The collection is the result of a rigorous selection process and the input of more than 150 specialists from around the world, ensuring that each region has benefited from expert advice. Every building is located on maps that are defined by contemporary political geography, with detailed information accompanying each project, which is fully illustrated and described by a short text. In addition, a mass of useful information is provided in extensive indexes.
The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture by Explore the best architecture of the 21st century in this collection of 1037 exemplary buildings sited all over the world in the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture. Divided into six world regions, the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architectureprovides an important overview of global and local trends in architecture. This truly unparalleled resource presents easily accessible world data exploring the geographical contexts for 21st century architectural production in a global framework. Each of the six world regions is introduced by an analysis of urban and architectural issues. This statistical information has been researched and elaborated by a team from the London School of Economics. This collection of key buildings has been chosen through a rigorous selection process involving a panel of expert advisors with specialist input from each world region. The list includes the work of an emerging generation of architectural stars featured alongside buildings by internationally acclaimed architects. Each building is fully illustrated with drawings and photographs, and described by a short essay. Further information includes key facts such as construction cost, client name, area of the building and geographical coordinates. Cross-referencing between projects enables the user to find other buildings by the same architect included in the book. In addition, a mass of useful information is provided including details of architects' practices and extensive indexes.
Atlas of World Architecture by We are living in a time of constantly changing global perspectives. This compendium presents a global perspective for contemporary architecture. It is both a reference work and source of inspiration, with 500 carefully chosen projects from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas from the past five years which are portrayed with texts, drawings and photos. The Atlas of World Architecture gives a detailed overview of todays architecture between international trends, regional traditions, functional demands and individual styles. Particular emphasis is placed on presenting highquality masterpieces so far unknown alongside cuttingedge highlights of contemporary building culture. From the selection of projects of a wide range of typologies a global vision emerges.
100 of the World's Best Houses by 'For 344 pages of elegant, surprising or beautiful houses from Mount Fuji to Middlesex, look no further than 100 of the World's Best Houses - a title to send architects and interior designers into a state of high excitement.' The Telegraph An internati
Another 100 of the World's Best Houses by Designed by some the world's leading architects, the homes featured in this visually spectacular title are works of art, as beautiful as they are innovative. Built in some of the most inspiring and challenging locations in the world, these houses boast an astonishing variety of styles reflecting architecture of the past, present and future. A companion title to the best selling 100 of the World's Best Houses, this book is sure to impress general readers and design connoisseurs alike.
10 X 10 (Architecture) by A kaleidoscopic view of the work of 100 contemporary architects.
10x10_3 by 10 x 10_3 = the 100 best architects you've never heard of. That's about to change. The work shown in this volume is ambitious, inventive, and ground breaking. These are the architects to watch out for, this is the architecture shaping our cities and towns and changing the way we think about the built environment. Like its successful predecessors 10x10 (published in 2000) and 10x10_2 (published in 2005), 10x10_3 is a comprehensive overview of contemporary world architecture. This generously illustrated volume presents 100 of the world's most exceptional emerging architects, selected by 10 internationally prominent critics, architects, and curators.
The World Atlas of Architecture by 
1000x European Architecture by This is the most comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date compendium of contemporary European architecture available in one single volume. Projects from all parts of the continent have been selected to create a representative overview of the latest European architecture. The great variety of European architecture is guaranteed because there is only one project presented per architect with high-quality pictures and plans. Particular emphasis has been placed on making sure that many small creative and surprising buildings are presented alongside more familiar projects.
