Dictionary of Scottish Architects
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Grant Holder:
Professor David Walker; Dr Yvonne Hillyard
The Dictionary of Scottish Architects is a database with biographies and full job lists for all those who practised in Scotland after 1840. This includes not only men and women who were born in Scotland but also those from elsewhere who designed buildings and entered competitions here. It is available over the internet without restriction. During the first 3-year period which was funded by the AHRC the Dictionary covered the period up to 1940; at the start of 2008, the inclusion of post-1940 architects was begun. It is anticipated that this new project will be completed in 2011.
One of the great strengths of the Dictionary is that it is able to show connections that have not previously been recognised, that is connections between architects, their apprentices and assistants, their patrons and their work. It opens up possible new areas of research, such as the cross fertilisation of ideas between those working together as assistants in a practice.
Generation of HTML files from normalised SQL database tables for Web dissemination
Automated and semi-automated production of compressed and resized TIFF and PNG files for Web dissemination
| Project start date: 2002-10 | Project end date: 2005-09 |
Subject domains:
Era(s):
Country/region(s):
| Methods used | Category |
|---|---|
| 2d scanning | Practice-led research |
| 2d Scanning and photography | Data capture |
| Accessibility analysis | Strategy and project management |
| Resource sharing | Communication and collaboration |
| Photography | Practice-led research |
| Documentation | Strategy and project management |
| Geo-referencing and projection | Data structuring and enhancement |
| Human factors analysis | Strategy and project management |
| Record linkages | Data analysis |
| Searching and querying | Data analysis |
| Server scripting | Data publishing and dissemination |
| Security planning | Strategy and project management |
| Usability analysis | Strategy and project management |
| Web browser scripting | Data publishing and dissemination |
| Collaborative publishing | Data publishing and dissemination |
| text | Content types |
| scotland | Place |
Funding sources:
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), The Russell Trust, Marc Fitch Fund, St Andrews University, Pilgrim Trust, Historic Scotland, Binks Trust, Aberbrothock Trust, The Royal & Ancient Club, Gordon Fraser Trust, EDI Developers, Burrell Company, The Royal Bank of Scotland, McTaggart & Mickel
Content types created:
Still Image/Graphics, Text
Software tools used:
Javascript, MySQL, PHP
Source material used:
The core of the project covering the period 1840-1940 was the accumulated research notes gathered by Professor David Walker over a period of 50 years. These had been gleaned from a vast array of sources, amongst which were the following: journals and newspapers, local archives such as 'Dean of Guild' plans and the memories of older architects passed on in conversation with Professor Walker in the 1960s and 1970s. To this was added a large amount of data from the Royal Institute of British Architects Nomination Papers (for entry into the Institute). These Papers are now held in the Architecture Study Rooms at the V&A. Information from the archives of the National Monuments Record was also added, including some of the research notes for the 'Buildings of Scotland' volumes. Many published sources were used including the catalogues of exhibitors at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Glasgow Institute of Architects and the Royal Academy.
Digital resource created:
The Dictionary of Scottish Architects website (www.scottisharchitects.org.uk) is the main outcome of this project. This is the user interface for a highly sophisticated database which was designed around the data and which allows very flexible searching. It covers all architects working in Scotland from 1840 to 1980 (the post 1940 period is part of an on-going project). It gives biographies and full job lists for all these architects and can be searched by architect (both by name and by address), by client and by building. It therefore goes far beyond a standard paper Dictionary.
At present data entry is carried out online. From April 2008 the user will be able to see the information in 'real time' as from next month users will access the same database as that into which new information is being added.
The main aim of the Dictionary is to provide an accurate information for the user, drawing together much data that was previously scattered in numerous sources. This will provide an essential starting point for all research in architectural history on Scotltish topics and eliminate the drudgery of 'blind' searches. It has already been interroagted and provided information more than one and a half million times.
Access to digital resource:
Open Access
Data Formats created:
Comma Separated Data (CSV)
Metadata standards employed:
Dublin Core, simple (DC)
Project staff and expertise:
| Principal staff member: | Professor David Walker |
|---|---|
| Other staff: | Postdoctoral researcher(s) / Research assistant(s) |
| External expertise: |
| Metadata on this arts-humanities.net record | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) of record | Yvonne Hillyard |
| Title | Dictionary of Scottish Architects |
| Record created | 2008-04-15 |
| Record updated | 2010-06-23 00:22 |
| URL of record | http://www.arts-humanities.net/node/2318 |
| Citation of record | Yvonne Hillyard: Dictionary of Scottish Architects. <http://www.arts-humanities.net/node/2318> created: 2008-04-15, last updated 2010-06-23 00:22 |