Architecture and design records are exciting resources for historical research and vital for documenting and maintaining the built environment. Yet their temporal nature often makes them difficult to preserve, and managing collections of these records can be a challenge. In addition to addressing preservation issues, this resource helps archivists, curators, librarians, and researchers understand how to assess the value of architectural records.

The highly illustrated book covers a brief history of Western architectural practice; description of the creation of design records; explanations of the various types of project records; recommendations on best practices for appraisal, arrangement, and description, information about preservation, administration, and research use; and identification of common visual media and supports used to create architectural records.