Researching buildings allows us to uncover a multitude of factual information as well as stories, whether they’re about the Taj Mahal in India or a humble fisherman’s cottage in Cornwall. Both public buildings and private homes offer much to write about, including how they were built, and how their form and function have influenced individuals and communities. Irrespective of whether you adopt a current or historical approach, there are plenty of resources to explore.
Basics
Architecture attracts our visual sense. Therefore, the first step in the research process would involve looking) to find photos and drawings. Try to find images that have been taken from different angles, both outside and inside the building. Additionally, see if there are any relevant videos on YouTube (). To get a deeper understanding, do some background research. Depending on your interest, there are different ways to do this. For example, travel guides are great for giving an introduction to basic historical information on notable public buildings, while books about specific buildings contain more details. To learn about architecture in general, study textbooks and reference material, such as encyclopaedias and dictionaries. You can find architecturerelated books in local libraries: topic areas covering, for instance, public and residential buildings, design and history of architecture are covered in books shelved under 720s of the Dewey Decimal Classification System.
