Of course architects can not design their whole projects on a smartphone yet. But the increasing number of mobile applications, called “apps”, for Blackberries, iPhones, and other mobile devices might be a movement in architecture. Today they support architects already now and then, when they are on the move. With this article we present you a sample of apps that might be useful for architects.
1. Concrete Calculator
This is an app which shows the cubic yards needed for a job. It provides you choices of concrete calculation for Square or Rectangle Concrete Slab, Circular Concrete Slab, Concrete Sono Tube or Column.
Buy this app on http://www.appstorehq.com/ for 99 cents.
2. Project Photo
This app archives photos which have been taken with an iPhone. Each photo is tagged with its GPS point. Then it’s possible to link the pictures to construction drawings and plans. It is also possible to add a description, keywords and comments to a photo. This iPhone application is only for existing users of Cosential. For signing up, visit cosential.com (it’s not for free).
Buy this app on http://www.macworld.com/ for $4.99.
3. ecobee Smart Thermostat
With this app you can easily adjust the temperature at home. It’s available for iPhone, iPod Touch and Android. You can download it free of charge from the iTunes Store or the Android Market. This facile app lets you control all of your Smart Thermostats from anywhere at any time. And it alerts if it gets too hot at home.
Buy this app on http://www.ecobee.com for free.
4. Design Data Engineering Materials
On www.uassistme.com you will find a selection of apps which can provide data about the tensile strength, weldability, and density of certain metals. The apps are available for iPhone and iPod touch.
Buy this app on http://www.uassistme.com/ for 99 cent.
5. Architecture
This is a GPS enabled worldguide. It alerts about major landmarks nearby and includes architectural masterpieces from 165 different architects in 270 cities. It is also possible to map them.
Download this app on http://itunes.apple.com/ for free, after three days you need to pay $4.99 to use the app furthermore.
6. iGIS
The app turns iPhones into a tool to checkout layers of buildings or pieces of land. It gives users the opportunity to e.g. load, view and export their own data by using Google maps satellite images. With this app it is possible to export and import ESRI Shapefiles as well as you can look up the outline of an area.
Buy this app on http://www.geometryit.com for $36.99.
7. My pie interactive
This app is available as a “carpenter’s helper”, 2carpenter’s helper pro” or as a slimmed-down version. It is an advanced construction calculator with which you can e.g. calculate a roof pitch and the column volume.
Buy this app on http://www.mypieinteractive.com/ for $11.99.
8. Architect’s Formulator
Multieducator launched a series of apps for architects and engineers. Its 200 formulas help e.g. to determine how many bricks a wall might need, which wind load a roof has to bear up or the number of baulks required for a building. The apps show numerous of different formulas.
Buy this app on http://www.multieducator.net/ , the price varies from $3.99 to $17.99.
9. Save H2O
Find out your water usage with this app. The firm Sloan offers this free business tool. It helps people to understand the ecology of their restroom water usage. The app is comparable with those provided by engineering firms and enables the user to calculate savings easily. This can be generally helpful, not only for architects.
Download this app on http://www.sloanvalve.com for free.
10. Top Interior Design Blogs
This app shows you the Top Interior Design Blogs. You can follow them easily and look them up quickly. Through your iPhone it keeps you up-to-date. From MocoLoco over Inhabitat to Dezeen, this app checks all the design-blogs for news for you.
Download this app on http://itunes.apple.com/ for free
Have you tried any of the apps above – what are your experiences? Are there any apps we forgot to mention?
