November 2000

Structurae

http://www.structurae.net/




Created by bridge engineer Nicolas Janberg, Structurae is an International Database and Gallery of Structures, and is an excellent resource for students, teachers and professionals in the field of civil but especially structural engineering. It contains information relating to bridges and bridge construction; skyscrapers, towers and other tall buildings; domes, shells, tensile structures and other roofs of long spans; dams and other engineered structures; and the designers (i.e. engineers and architects) of these structures. Database entries include a wealth of information, including technical data, images, bibliographical references and useful web links. The site is provided in English, French and German, and welcomes the submission of additional data from its users. All in all, a fantastic resource, deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 15 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: con-221000-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Construction » Resources
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October 2000

Foster and Partners

http://www.fosterandpartners.com/




This is a very rich and elegantly designed site, available in HTML or Flash versions. Happily, the HTML version is no poor relation, with access to the full content of the site; the Flash version, with its clever effects, can be a little infuriating if you wish to find information quickly and without fuss. In either version, sections cover news, studio, contacts and information (with details of awards, competetion entries and publications). However, the highlight of the site is its full list of Foster and Partners' projects, which can be organised chronologically, alphabetically, by location or by building type. There is a short article about each scheme, accompanied by some quite stunning images, including some movies. In all, this is a splendid insight into one of Britain's most celebrated and enduring architects and practices, deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 11 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: arc-100402-03
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Architecture » Services
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July 2000

The Landmark Trust

http://www.landmarktrust.co.uk/




The Landmark Trust is an independent UK building preservation charity which was founded in 1965 to rescue worthwhile historic buildings from neglect, and then to restore and let them for holidays. The income from letting contributes to their upkeep. The site has information about the Trust and its Handbook (with sample pages online), plus a section about how individuals can help the Trust in its work, and a special feature on Lundy Island. There is a particularly interesting section covering 'Future Landmarks', looking at restoration projects that are currently underway or awaiting funding. It is perhaps surprising that the site lacks a full listing of the Trust's wonderful portfolio of properties, presumably to maximise purchases of the hard-copy Handbook. Quibble aside, however, this is an elegant and engaging site, with some excellent images. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 15 Sep 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: her-060700-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Heritage » Organisations
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June 2000

Docklands Light Rail

http://www.dlr.co.uk/




DLR is the light rail system linking East London, Docklands, Greenwich, Lewisham and the Millennium Dome with central London. Now under the umbrella of Transport for London (TfL), this is a well-designed and comprehensive site, with background information about the DLR, and sections covering areas such as the history and technology of DLR; tickets and travel; tourist information; press releases; and feedback. The site also features full details about all the latest DLR proposals - extensions to London City Airport (opening December 2005), Woolwich, Barking, Dagenham and Stratford - with information about project background, routes, consultation, and environmental issues. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 12 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: tra-160500-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Transport » Places
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May 2000

Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/




Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity - works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport in order to reduce motor traffic and its adverse effects. This is an attractive and well-designed website, with up-to-date details of news and events, and useful information about Sustrans' practical projects, such as the National Cycle Network and Safe Routes to Schools. There is also an excellent section of Sustrans Information Sheets (downloadable as PDF files), with facts, figures, policy background and references on a wide variety of topics of relevance to the sustainable transport debate. All in all a highly enjoyable and informative site, awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 11 Aug 2005].



ENTRY NUMBER: tra-160500-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Transport » Organisations
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April 2000

Gardenvisit.com Gardens Guide

http://www.gardenvisit.com/




The Gardenvisit.com Gardens Guide reviews places of interest to gardeners: properties open to the public, historic estates, botanic collections, websites, hotels, design studios, nurseries and product suppliers. It describes 1000 parks and gardens open to the public in Europe and America, organised by country and (in the UK) by county, with useful information such as opening times, although it is not clear whether this information is up-to-date. This site is impressive in its coverage - there is a section of diagrams covering different historic styles of garden design, with links to examples of gardens influenced by that style; a history of garden design; and an index of garden designers. On the downside, the site's design is dating really badly, and the quality of images is poor. Gardenvisit.com remains a useful site for garden historians and garden visitors alike, but an improved appearance and interface would help do full justice to its impressive content. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 11 Oct 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: lan-190300-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Landscape » Resources
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February 2000

RUDI - Resource for Urban Design Information

http://www.rudi.net/




RUDI describes itself as "the leading urban design website", offering "high quality information about good practice in urban design". It is correct on both counts - RUDI is an outstanding resource, its virtual library containing full text documents, unique items and significant works which are difficult to locate or are out of print, as well as materials specially commissioned to fill gaps in urban design information. With annual personal subscriptions (for students) starting at nearly £50, access to RUDI's content (3,000 documents and 7,000 images) is not cheap; however, an increasing number of institutions subscribe to RUDI, meaning that many students and academics are able to use it, and the site does feature a significant amount of free content, including news, book reviews, classic urban texts, case studies, links and papers. Awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 12 Nov 2007].



ENTRY NUMBER: urb-041100-02
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Urban Design » Resources
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January 2000

The Urban Conservation Glossary

http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/glossary.html




Based at the University of Dundee's School of Town and Regional Planning, the Glossary describes itself as "an attempt to impart some of the range, complexity, and enormous interest and satisfaction that can be found in conservation work, going beyond a simple catalogue of terms". This is an impressively comprehensive resource - there are eighty entries under the letter 'A' alone, for example - and a must for anyone interested in urban conservation. Many entries are illustrated (using some excellent photographs), and cross-referenced to other entries using hyperlinks. A splendid website, deservedly awarded a Sapling Commendation. [GAS, 5 Mar 2006].



ENTRY NUMBER: her-081299-01
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United Kingdom
PRIMARY GATEWAY LISTING: Heritage » Resources
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