Resources

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation provides a learning environment rich with opportunities for research and experimentation:

• The Architecture Library, conveniently located in the School building, has a large collection of books, monographs, journals, magazines and other reference materials (in total, more than 25,000 volumes).
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation Library, located in Hornbake Library on the College Park campus, offers a wealth of preservation materials (more than 11,000 volumes).
• The Elizabeth Alley Visual Resources Collection, housed in the School, has hundreds of thousands of slides on file, with thousands of digital images added each year. Students and faculty can rent camera, video and presentation equipment from the VRC at no charge.
• The Kibel Gallery features a wide range of exhibits on the built environment, from affordable housing to political cartoons to notable alumni and student work.
• Two computer labs provide Mac and PC workstations equipped with current software for design and research. Each semester, the IT Group offers free evening workshops to students on software programs such as AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe CS and FinalCut Pro.
• The Digital Output Center offers a laser cutter, 3D printer, three large-format plotters, a large-format scanner and photocopiers.
  
• A well-equipped Fabrication Laboratory provides a wide range of resources for creating three-dimensional physical models for the study of architectural design and construction. Students receive an extensive safety training course prior to gaining access to the shop and its power tools. Models and other projects created by students are on display throughout the School.
• A large, state-of-the-art auditorium provides opportunities for the University community, design professionals and the public to attend lectures by leading designers, historians and theoreticians about current issues relating to scholarship and practice.