If I had a dime for every time somebody has asked me if there's an iPhone app for finding local architecture, I would have a bunch of dimes. I'm glad to say there's finally an app I can point people to.
If I had a dime for every time somebody has asked me if there's an iPhone app for finding local architecture, I would have a bunch of dimes. I'm glad to say there's finally an app I can point people to. Our friends at Despark in London have just announced the approval of their (free!) iPhone companion app to their recently launched open-source online building resource OpenBuildings.com.
The app is simply titled "Buildings", and after playing around with it for the last week, I've become hooked. I'm finding myself launching the app as I move around Los Angeles to check which buildings surround me. The database is a little sparse for this user's city, at the moment, but the open-source nature of this well-constructed platform will inevitably help fill out the gaps quickly.
The app loads quickly and immediately prompts the unregistered user to login to OpenBuildings. Once logged in the user is taken to a simple screen providing the option to search for buildings or simply see what is nearby.
A project mapping tool visualizes the projects on an interactive Google map.
When viewing a project the app uses the iPhone location-detection functionality (GPS and cell-tower triangulation) to identify if the user is nearby. If so, the option to "check in", is made available, similar to apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla and now Facebook Places. The project page is surprisingly content-rich offering building data, articles on the building from other online resources, photos, videos, and comments by other OpenBuildings users. The app also allows the user to quickly add a photo or video from their iPhone's built in camera.
The small thumbnail images enlarge to become a familiar iPhone image gallery.
The iPhone's built in accelerometer allows the user to turn the phone to the side to view landscape-oriented images in a larger format.
The app offers customization tools for general settings and search filters.
Here's some more information about the app from the developers...
iPhone App Launched for Architecture Lovers
A free new iPhone application that shows architecture from across the globe is now available for download from iTunes.
Buildings is an application containing an encyclopaedia of architecture at the user's fingertips. It supplies information, images and videos on over 2500 historic, contemporary and conceptual buildings. It lets the user find and learn about architecture nearby, across their country or overseas.
Using GPS technology to pinpoint the users location, Building is also a perfect mobile guide for travellers who can use their iPhone to find directions to buildings of interest.
‘I am really thrilled that we can give this app away for free,’ said Tom Mallory, editor-in-chief and co-founder. ‘Learning about the architecture around me was frustrating at times - having to read snippets from guidebooks or waiting until after the visit to find more in-depth information. Buildings offers the information when and where you want it.’
Architects can upload their own work and other users can also upload their own photos and videos and share with their online community via facebook or twitter.
‘If I discover great architecture I can take a picture or video of it, share it with my friends, comment on it, show people I am there,’ concluded co-founder, Adel Zakout. ‘What I find exciting is that the app allows you to discover buildings and then share and discuss them in a new way. We think this app is going to really stimulate people’s interaction with architecture.’
With a rapidly growing, user-generated database of architecture, Buildings offers a rich source of architectural information to professionals, architecture-lovers, tourists & students. The application can be downloaded from the iTunes App store.
9 Comments
How long before Droid and Palm users can see a usable version? Apple may be the big kid on the block, but the rest of us want cool toys, too.
Hi there,
We'll have an Android app in the next couple of months for you to play with :)
Paul: thank you for the great review!
Adel Zakout
CEO - OpenBuildings.com
please get the android version out before mid-november... have a trip to Chicago that I'd love to have this for!
yes! as i just got my htc evo, tonight!
We'll do our best :)) ... iPad is an interesting platform too ;) !
Best,
Adel
This is fantastically awesome.
BTW I'm such a luddite that my own phone only makes phone calls, but I can still see that this is fantastically awesome for everyone else.
Good job!
i'm so glad this app killed MIMOA... it's amazing, but it should really use the database mimoa has :/
Is there a lists of apps that archinect or others can suggest for architects? perhaps a suggested list can be added to and rated by users overtime can be useful for all of us reading here. thanks.
I uses to have this app on android, where is it now?
I loved it, want it back
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