Buildings – the Application that lets You View Incredible Architecture Worldwide!
by Jonathan Lonczak
Aug 30, 2011 7:44 AM –
Install
Buildings. Find Great Architecture! Created by architects, “Buildings” gives tourists and architecture enthusiasts a mobile encyclopedia of more than 40,000 buildings across the globe to discover at their fingertips, complete with expert commentary and insight. The app enhances your experience by using GPS to identify your location and highlight interesting ‘Nearby’ buildings.
The architecture in the app’s database supplies information, images and videos about historical buildings and modern architecture, which have been crowd-sourced from architects from around the world. It is the most up-to-date and detailed database of buildings in the world today. You can find and get directions to interesting architecture nearby, add photos to buildings you are visiting, make comments, check-in and also share with your friends; in addition the app shows you daily featured buildings from around the world.
With “Buildings” in your pocket, you can indulge your passion for local architecture and enjoy a more profound understanding of the history of the buildings around you than ever before.
Price: Free
Tested on: Sony Xperia Play
Content Rating: Low Maturity
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Allows you to see incredible architecture all over the world!
- Allows you to discover new architecture nearby and create a list of some of your favorites!
- Minimalistic interface is extremely easy to use!
- Supports sharing your favorite buildings through Email, Facebook, or Twitter!
- Provides a basic history of each building!
Cons
- Very low reuse value for average consumer.
- No value outside of viewing various architecture.
Features:
Buildings is a eye opening application for Android which allows you to see various incredible buildings around the world in one application! It allows you to see buildings all around the world, and even search for interesting buildings nearby. It shows you pictures of those buildings and also provides addresses and a background on the history of the architecture. It is an incredibly interesting application for Architecture students and ordinary people alike.
When you first launch the application it will allow you to browse through a list of some of the more impressive architectural feats in the world. Two buildings will be specifically featured with more listed below. Some of these include the Heydar Allyev Center and the Glass Shutter house. You can also view many incredible memorials throughout the world within the application as well.
The application has three headings for Buildings. These are featured, nearby, and favorites. You can also search for a specific building at any time by pressing the search button and typing in the name of the location you are seeking. The nearby option allows you to see what interesting pieces of architecture are near your current location. Unfortunately there is not much interesting architecture in my area, but I was surprised to find some buildings I had never heard of with a very interesting history.
After locating buildings of interest, you are able to add them to your favorites list in order to review them again later. This feature is appreciated given the large number of incredible buildings in the database. Being able to catalog your favorites for later perusal makes it much easier to spend your time using the application more efficiently.
When you open up a building profile you will be given the option to view more photos of the building that you are interested in, you will receive the address, date of creation, and a brief history of the its origins. Occasionally I came across buildings of foreign origin which did not have a history in English so this feature wasn’t always overly useful, but it was extremely interesting for domestic architecture. You can also share your favorite buildings with others through Email, Twitter, and Facebook.
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Buildings Main Screen
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Buildings Nearby
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Buildings Search
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Buildings Farmland 1
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Buildings Farmland 2
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Building History
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Buildings Rail Search
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Buildings Two Light Prism
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Buildings Share
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Buildings Settings 1
Usefulness:
Buildings is certainly not a daily flier, but I found it very enjoyable to use. It allows you to see various interesting locations throughout the world without having to leave the comfort of your own home. It would also be extremely useful for students going to school for a degree in Architecture. The application gives Architecture students the ability to see any important building in the world and also to see the history and location of that building as well.
Ease of Use:
Buildings is exceptionally easy to use and the interface is laid out with a very minimalistic approach which allows for an excellent user experience.
Frequently Used:
I personally would not use this application unless I was going on tour to a foreign country or an area of the world known for its interesting architecture. I also would use this application from time to time just to see other interesting areas of the world and their architecture. Most people’s usage of this application would be similar to mine except for architecture students, artists or those working in that vertical. I think those category of users would use the application more frequently either for schoolwork, artwork, work, or passion.
Interface:
The interface for Buildings is minimalistic and immensely easy to use. It also has a strong visual appeal due to the incredible images of amazing architecture throughout the world that are pervasive in the application. Overall I was incredibly pleased with the interface and the direction the developers went in directing the layout for this application.