The iPhone has revolutionised the way professional Architects carry out their business. Thanks to the iPhone essential reference documents and tools that were once office bound can now be taken out to site and used whilst on the move. With this selection of useful Apps, the Architect will have a superb arsenal of tools at their disposal.
Whilst the following eight Apps all attract a fee, those looking for free iPhone Apps for the Architect should check out our other articles.
CAD touchR2 - £14.99
The first useful App for the Architect is CAD touchR2. Although being one of the most expensive, what you get is a precision drawing tool right there in your pocket. This App allows Architect's to produce precise drawings, sketches and diagrams which can then be used to calculate important data such as floor areas, diameters and wall quantities. Completed drawings can be emailed with the data results direct from the application. This application, written by Martin Fabrizi Carianni, will suit any Architect that is required to produce accurate technical drawings.
Architects Sketchbook App - $0.99
From Autodesk, perhaps the best software house known to Architects (they are the people behind AutoCAD), comes a creative drawing tool. This App is not for producing technical drawings as you would with AutoCAD, but for creating freehand style sketches. The embedded SketchbookPro paint processor enables the production of superb quality drawings and with 46 preset brushes, pencils and markers an Architect will have no problems conveying their proposals. All brushes are customizable allowing the finished product to be endlessly fine tuned. It works on the iPad as well as the white iPhone 4 and iPod touch. Whilst not free, it is only $0.99 and represents excellent value for money.
List Master Pro by List Logic Software - $4.99
A professional Architect will always require a useful organizer-style App, and List Master is just right for this task. The application has loads of features allowing you to create numerous types of lists either from scratch or using the included templates. It works in both landscape and portrait modes and has a checkbox feature to allow you to check off completed items. Individual entries on the list can even be coloured to highlight their importance.
Architect's Formulator - $9.99
This useful App developed by Multieducator allows an Architect to take over 200 formulas out of the office to be with them at all times. These formulas, which are so complex they are unlikely to be memorized, cover such calculations as sound absorption, sound reverberation and room acoustics. The App also contains details of common weights and material usage factors any Architect will require such as aggregate weights, bricks required per area of wall and volume per tonne. A valuable tool not just for the Architect but for anyone involved in the construction business.
Architecture Shapes - £1.79
This application by Italic Labs LC acts as a catalogue of architectural shapes. Whilst not a design tool in itself, its purpose is to inspire creativity in an Architect lacking in ideas. It achieves this with numerous interesting photographs of buildings and structures from across the world. With this on your iPhone you will never be short of inspiration again.
Architect Envi Deluxe by Open Door Networks - $3.99
An extremely useful App, Architect Envi Deluxe is an encyclopaedia based on the work of the world's most famous Architects. Each entry is packed with extensive information about the designers and their work. Each entry provides in-depth information regarding the Architect and their buildings including dates, sizes and interesting facts. Whilst an essential reference for an Architect, the App is also useful for those with a casual interest in the subject matter.
3D Building Bricks - £1.79
Modelled on the famous Lego building bricks, this App from MobileGameGarage aims to expand an Architect's creative side by allowing the construction of three dimensional structure right on your iPhone's screen. As well as being a great problem and idea generating tool, it is great fun and will also appeal to anyone with just a passing interest in the construction process.
Thank you for reading our article on useful Apps for the Architect. We hope that these great applications will transform the way in which you conduct your professional activities. Don't forget to check out our related article entitled 'Five Great Free iPhone Apps for the Architect.'
