The Great Buildings Collection and ArchDaily are good resources for international buildings. For Toronto buildings, try the TOBuilt website.
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 (only available on campus).
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:
Search the Internet Archive for books, journal articles and videos on your building or architect. You must create a free account to borrow e-books at Sign up for an account.
All George Brown College students are eligible to apply for a Toronto Public Library Card. This allows you to use the TPL databases and to check out books. The main Reference Library at Yonge and Bloor has an excellent architecture collection. They have a number of print 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 Property 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.