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Links and Gateways

Abacus USA Construction Index
 http://www.construction-index.com/



 Abacus USA Construction Index is a directory of recommended online resources for US architects, engineers and other construction professionals. Its is an excellent resource, with a searchable index providing access to 1,500 websites, online documents, case studies and newsletters; alternatively, the site can be browsed by resource type or topic. The homepage is perhaps a little busy, but otherwise the site is well laid out, with a simple and uncluttered design. Note that while the construction-index.com site is currently being rebuilt to focus on US content only, UK content can now be found on a sister website, Archinet UK Building Directory. awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 23 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-030903-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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ADAM, the Art, Design, Architecture & Media Information Gateway
 http://www.adam.ac.uk/



ADAM, the Art, Design, Architecture & Media Information Gateway, describes itself as "a searchable catalogue of Internet resources that have been carefully selected and catalogued by professional librarians for the benefit of the UK Higher Education community". The catalogue is not only vast, but also offers considerable information about each resource, including a rating, description and keywords. Unfortunately, the site is no longer in active development, but existing links are being "checked to retain currency". While ADAM therefore remains an important and impressive resource, it seems a shame that the site should be mothballed after so much investment of time and energy. [GAS, 25 Oct 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: cul-091103-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Culture » Resources
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Aecportico
 http://www.thenbs.com/technical/aecportico/



 Aecportico is provided by NBS as a service to the UK construction industry, offering what it describes as "links to the best and most useful information in the architecture, engineering and construction sectors, free of charge". Features of the site include a comprehensive directory of relevant professional bodies and trade associations, an up-to-date events listing, and a regular 'book of the week'. Together, these features make aecportico a valuable and impressive resource, which is deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 8 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-090402-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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Archbone
 http://www.archbone.co.uk/



 Archbone is a very useful site, providing architects and specifiers in the UK with "free and fast 2 click access to the websites of over 1,600 construction product manufacturers and suppliers". In addition to its main directory, the site also features an extensive collection of links covering CAD, legislation, organisations, map suppliers and databases. Information throughout the site is displayed clearly and without fuss, and a recent redesign has further enhanced the site's appearance and functionality. Overall, Archbone is a well-designed and valuable resource, awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 2 Oct 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-100303-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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Archinet UK Building Directory
 http://www.archinet.co.uk/



 Bearing only a passing resemblance to the old Archinet site that used to be hosted here, the new Archinet UK Building Directory is essentially a rebadged version of the excellent Abacus Construction Index; while archinet.co.uk now hosts Abacus' UK content, the existing Abacus site at construction-index.com is being developed as a US-focused resource. If that's all too much to take in, don't worry - just visit Archinet and enjoy it. Aspiring to "bring together in one place recommended sources of information and advice about construction and architecture in the UK", users can browse its featured resources by type (online documents and websites), topic (including architecture, conservation, housing, planning and sustainability) or by product type; entries are well annotated, with lots of useful deeplinks as well as the more usual link to each site's homepage. The site has few visual embellishments, but is neat and easy to use, displaying its content very clearly and without fuss. A valuable resource, awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-230805-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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Architect Africa Collective - The Contemporary Architects and Architecture of Africa
 http://www.architectafrica.com



The purpose of the Architect Africa Collective (AAC) is to "promote and support architects, architectural writers and thinkers in Africa", seeking to build architectural knowledge bases and information and communication systems for the particular use of the architectural profession in Africa. The design of the site is a bit of a hotchpotch, with too much screaming red text and slightly intrusive advertising. The content, however, is quite interesting, with news, features and a series of excellent links directories. [GAS, 15 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-080903-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: South Africa
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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Architecture-India.com
 http://www.architecture-india.com/



Architecture-India.com describes itself as "the webpage for the building industry in India", targeting architects, developers, building owners, contractors, subcontractors, civil and structural engineers, façade consultants, environmental engineers, testing and clarification agencies, government departments, academics, trade missions, and manufacturers and suppliers of building materials. Features of the site include a comprehensive searchable and browsable directory, covering a range of organisations, resources and businesses (including over 1500 architecture and interior design firms in India and elsewhere), conference papers, details of events, a discussion forum, and a section of architecture-related links. [GAS, 8 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-091105-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: India
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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Architecture.com
 http://www.architecture.com/



 Ever modest, Architecture.com describes itself as "one of the world's most extensive built environment portals". It is certainly true - this well-organised site, run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), claims to have 250,000 pages of useful information about architecture, architects, and RIBA itself, including news, competitions, events, jobs, and many other useful features. One of the flagship services is the RIBA library catalogue - a free, regularly updated index to 175,000 articles from 300 journals in 20 languages, 35,000 books, and over 1 million items in the special collections. Elsewhere, a helpful RIBA Links Library covers over 1000 architecture-related websites - including Sapling of course. Some might find the grey interface a little bleak, but that barely detracts from what is probably the definitive architecture resource - excellent. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 6 Nov 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-050101-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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 Architecture.it
 http://www.architecture.it/



 Architecture.it is an Italian language search engine devoted to architecture, with good coverage of sites worldwide. Links to featured websites, each awarded a star rating, can also be browsed by theme. The site also provides architectural news headlines, and the information about current architectural competitions is another useful feature. The design of the website is very clear and efficient, albeit rather 'architectural' with the ubiquitous overuse of lower case. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 29 May 2007].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-030602-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Italy
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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Artifact
 http://www.artifact.ac.uk/



Launched in November 2003 and funded by JISC, Artifact describes itself as "a free online subject gateway providing access to the best arts and creative industries web resources for the UK higher and further education learning, teaching and research community". A search facility is provided, or the site can be browsed by theme: sections cover Architecture; Communications, Media and Culture; Design (including Interior Design); Fashion and Beauty; Music and the Performing Arts; and Visual Arts. Comprehensive and regularly updated information is given about each of the 400+ featured sites, including a description, keywords and subject headings. For a gateway showcasing the arts and creative industries, the 'look' of the Artifact site is disappointingly clunky and old-fashioned; however, beneath the aesthetics, it does benefit from a layout and navigation that is simple and quite intuitive. [GAS, 5 Jun 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: cul-091103-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Culture » Resources
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BuilderSpace.com
 http://www.builderspace.com/



 BuilderSpace.com describes itself as "an information portal and directory for the Building and Design Industry". Features include architecture news and commentary, research links, education information for professional licensure and continuing education, job banks links, events, competitions, exhibits information and links, and a comprehensive directory of AEC professional services firms and manufacturers. Although US-based, the site's coverage is international. Overall, BuilderSpace.com is an impressive resource - providing relevant and up-to-date content within a sleek and intuitive interface. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Mar 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-030903-06
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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Cadopolis.com - AutoCAD Software Add-ons
 http://www.cadopolis.com/



Cadopolis.com is an AutoCAD dedicated site featuring AutoCAD add-ons, utilities, shareware, forums and links. The site is undoubtedly a useful gateway to AutoCAD-related information, with features including a Top 10 products listing, and a monthly newsletter. Its highlight is probably the comprehensive links section, which covers more than 1000 CAD-related websites. Visually, the site looks quite professional, though the extensive use of graphics and animations does gives it a rather a busy feel. [GAS, 9 Nov 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-240104-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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Construction Risk Management Library and Portal
 http://www.constructionrisk.com/



The Construction Risk Management Library and Portal provides risk management resources and information, including articles, newsletters, a discussion board, and an impressive section of annotated links to related websites. Themes covered by the site include architects' and engineers' professional liability, architects' insurance, engineers' insurance, construction law and litigation, contractor claims and disputes, loss control, design-build liability, continuing education, and project management. [GAS, 24 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-020602-03
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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ConstructionWebLinks
 http://www.constructionweblinks.com/



 Constructionweblinks is a comprehensive US-based guide to construction, architecture, and engineering resources on the Web, provided by Thelen Reid & Priest LLP. Links, newsletters and other resources are organised into four main sections, covering organisations, industry topics, resources and guides, and forming a valuable and well designed resource. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 6 Nov 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-040301-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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JM Links - Arts & Architecture
 http://www.mirolka.com/architecture.htm



This is a useful one-page portal with links to (mainly US-based) art and architecture-related websites and resources, including news, online dictionaries, discussion and architecture schools. Visitors can link to other JM Links sections, such as construction, business or home design. [GAS, 11 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: cul-250401-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Culture » Resources
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Lnkscape.org
 http://www.lnkscape.org/



Lnkscape.org's owners describe it as "a minimalistic easy to handle linkpool based on architecture" - in other words, an architectural links directory. Links are organised into themed, drop-down menus covering 'architects', 'architecture', 'design', 'experimental', and 'some other stuff'. The number of links included here is impressive, although some of the site titles are not very meaningful without further annotation. Lnkscape.org is one of those slightly impenetrable, very 'architectural' websites which visitors will either love, or find very pretentious - pay a visit and draw your own conclusion. [GAS, 28 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-081202-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Spain
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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TheArchitectureRoom.com
 http://www.thearchitectureroom.com/



This is basically a links site (but a very attractive and well-designed one), drawing together information about architectural competitions in the UK, Ireland and abroad. A useful page of links and a series of architect-specific book lists (Aalto, Calatrava, etc.) are also provided. Overall, TheArchitectureRoom.com is a very handy resource for aspiring competition entrants, or indeed anyone with an interest in contemporary architecture. [GAS, 24 Aug 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-040101-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Resources
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