Architecture: Special Collections

The Library's Special Collections provide a rich resource for the study of Architecture at The University of Manchester.

Our collections cover areas such as the history of architecture, architecture and urbanism and landscape architecture.

This guide will identify collection strengths and help you access the most relevant material.

Our holdings of rare books include a large collection of historic architectural surveys and treatises, including works  which represent key architectural periods and styles. Modern architecture is also well represented, including works on town plannining and urban development.

Our Map Collection offers an extensive range of topographic and thematic mapping for the UK, as well as wide-ranging coverage for the rest of the world. Of particular interest to those studying Architecture will be our excellent collection of maps and plans of Manchester which document the city's urban development and changing land use from the the middle of the 18th century to the present day.

Our manuscript holdings comprise the archives of the Manchester Society of Architects and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, as well as papers, drawings and correspondence between distinguished architects and historians.

The history of architecture is well represented in our rare book and manuscript collections.

Among the Library's large collection of historic architectural surveys and treatises are works by Vitruvius, Alberti, Palladion, Adam, Soane and Repton, representing works of Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Georgian and Victorian architecture.

The Library holds the archives of the Manchester Society of Architects and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain.The papers of distinguished architects Sir Hubert Worthington and Edward Freeman are also held, the latter containing thousands of drawings of churches and correspondence with fellow architects. 

The archives of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library also contain information on the design and construction of the Grade 1 listed building which houses many of our Special Collections.

Urban design and development, particularly of Manchester and the North West of England is well represented in our Map Collection. Our collection of historical and modern maps of Manchester is excellent and documents the city's explosive growth and development in fascinating detail. Included in the collection are large scale historical town plans by William Green and Joseph Adshead as well as detailed Ordnance Survey plans dating from 1848 to the present day. Many of the historical maps of Manchester are available in our Online Map Collection.

The Map Collection provides access to historical and modern mapping of other major cities in the UK and worldwide. The Booker and Mills Collection contains detailed historical city plans of London and Paris whilst modern travel maps are available for most major cities. Thematic mapping such as geological, soil and land use are also available.

Our Rare Book Collection includes materials of interest for studies in land use, town planning, public health and sanitation, including works such as the planning and construction of cotton mills and the 1945 City of Manchester Plan.

Researchers of landscape history and design, garden history and country-house architecture will find useful material amongst the Temple Collection and the Muniment and Charter Collection.

The works of Humphrey Repton and Joseph Nash which represent 18th and 19th century works on landscape gardening and English Mansions, are held in the Rare Books Collection, along with texts of interest to those studying the architecture of death and concepts of space and ritual. 

Detailed topographic maps covering much of the North West and spanning the 18th to the 21st century are also available from the Map Collection.

What are Special Collections?

The University of Manchester Library holds one of the finest collections of rare books, manuscripts, archives and visual collections in the world. These collections are mainly concentrated in the magnificent building on Deansgate, The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, in the centre of Manchester. They are also housed in the Main Library on the University campus and at the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, in Manchester Central Library. This resource introduces the different types of materials found in Special Collections and explains how they can be used to support your studies. For general tips on accessing digital and physical collections and visiting our reading room please look at our other Medium resources.

You are welcome to make use of Special Collections in your learning and research.

Due to the special nature of the material, we provide access in a controlled environment and there are some restrictions on use and access, particularly for fragile material or modern archives which may contain sensitive data.

Please read our guidance pages on the web for details.