Case Study research: There are many definitions of case study research that vary by discipline. By definition, a case study uses "an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon or setting" in its real life context. (Adapted from Groat, Architectural Research Methods, 346). Within interior design education, a case study is a detailed examination of an interior space with the purpose of understanding the various elements that contribute to its design and function.
Building Type research provides insights into the specific design considerations (i.e., building codes and standards) that you will need to take into account when designing your space.
NYSID Library's subscription to EBSCOhost service includes the following three major databases: Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, GreenFile, and Art & Architecture Source. Combined, it provides you with access to full-text articles of over 600 architecture and design-related journals.
It is always important to be able to evaluate the accuracy of the information you find on the internet.
Here are some tips to use to evaluate online sources:
What factors can help you verify a source as credible?
The Building T
ype Basics series is an excellent book collection to start your building type research. The library has current copies of these titles (some of them are also available electronically via Ebook Central):
These books explain the nature of those building types and often provide case studies with plans and images. These excellent sources will help you begin and formulate the basic structure of your project.
Cover from: Perkins, Bradford. Building Type Basics for Senior Living, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/nysid-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1211620.
Although the e-book collection in Ebook Central contains primarily textbooks and recommended readings for other NYSID courses, they are also excellent resources for your research on building types and case studies. A keyword search of a general building type should generate a lot of relevant results.
Many e-books in Ebook Central may also contain chapters and/or case studies relevant to your research topics, design issues, and project. However, you may need to use the "Search within book" feature of EBook Central's interface, or browse the table of content or the index of an e-book to locate the information or case studies.
The following online publications are also excellent resources for your case study research, as well as additional research into design issues and building types.
An online database of healthcare design resources. Start with the Knowledge Repository for all of your searches for articles and research citations on healthcare design topics. Expand your search and find case studies, interviews, and other relevant resources by visiting theInsights & Solutions page.
NYSID Library's book collection may have books that provide case studies as well as building type research.
Building type research: Keyword searching of common building-type terms, such as libraries, healthcare, housing, museums, offices, retail, hospitality, restaurants, etc., in the Library's online catalog, Bobcat, should generate a lot of relevant results. However, do scroll down and click on the subject headings on the cataloging record of a relevant book to expand your search, e.g., the terms "domestic architecture" and "work environment" may be useful for your research on housing and offices respectively.
Similarly, you should be able to find print books on some general or common interior design/architectural issues and topics, such as healing design/spaces, environmental psychology, cognitive learning, and evidence-based design. However, if your design issues/topics are specific, you may need to use the indexes of those print books relevant to the building type(s) of your project to locate the information, e.g., the effect of lighting and colors in learning and healthcare environments, sense of security in temporary shelter/housing environment, etc.
