our building

an app platform to deliver a range of client facing content

Unless you are working for an experienced developer - your end clients will probably do one, or two buildings in their entire life. Decisions, especially for large client groups, are going to be difficult and they have to be made by people who have other full time commitments.

You, and they, may find it easier if you can deliver design content that they can review at lunch, in bed, in the waiting room, on the plane, on the train, and so on.
Augmented Reality models are really good at showing massing and form.

Panoramas may not be much for massing, form, or context but for interiors they work well.

Presentation decks aren't exactly cool, but a building is significantly more than what it looks like.

...and while all these mute media types require deep familiarity, or a presenter, films remain the best way to distill a story in a readily digestible way.


Representing Architecture

We all agree different types of media have strengths and weaknesses addressing different concerns that can arise at different times during the design process. Yet, all applications thus far have focused on a specific technology that they want you to shepherd all your projects into - regardless of its suitability at that point in the process.

It made no sense to us.

So we made this.

A platform to create an app per project that can deliver a complement of media types to best get at the message you want to send, and the decisions you need made. Give your clients an evolving pocket presentation that they can review anywhere, or casually turn to their friends, colleagues, investors, or donors and say "let me show you our building".


How does it work?

Our Building is an iOS app with a simple navigation structure to let you curate, and narrow cast your message to your client throughout the design process. Tutorial is here.

Its main power, though, lies in the system backing the content. This is a web based interface to drag and drop content you've commissioned or made (presentation decks, images, films, panoramas, augmented reality models), to the cloud - to build or edit your client's own app in minutes.

For example:

-At your initial interview, issue that client's app, and fill it with relevant portions of your portfolio and your presentation.

-Update that same app throughout SD & DD - replacing the initial content to highlight where you are, and the questions you most need answered at your next presentation (or tie it to online survey sites to let the entire client team weigh in).

-Issue a version at CDs for your client to hold dear until their facility is operational.

How much does it cost?

We are committed to cost effective solutions - and will offer more nuanced account plans upon review of usage by early adopters. At present, each project subscribes to an account in order to access the upload web dashboard and download their goods.

The Basic account is 150/month and includes:
*10 GB Storage
*100 GB of downloads

Want to try it?

Install to your iPhone or iPad here, and contact us below to get a sample username, password, and augmented reality target card.


Q: Is Our Building available for Android devices?

A: Not at this time. We did the math and at this juncture it is more economical to buy iOS devices (we recommend iPads) for Android equipped clients, than to pay us to support multiple platforms/resolutions. We will revisit this decision when we have a larger user base, but for now to keep our customer's costs down, Our Building is only available for iOS devices.

Q: Do I need goggles, Oculus Rift or something like Google cardboard?

A: No, to view presentation decks, AR, links, and films you need to go full screen - if we made the panoramas require goggles than your clients would have to carry them, and take them on and off while they tried to view all the content. It would also eliminate (the preferred) iPads as devices. That said, if your VR software can publish to an HTML site, the app does support online panoramic VR tours, and this may be a offline feature we add at some point.

Q: Can I distribute this app as a marketing piece to my wider community?

A: Technically yes, however we do not encourage it as apps are a very poor way to engage peripherally interested folks - social media, private websites, and films are really your best bet as they require far less of a user commitment/investment. Downloading an app and self touring using mute media is just not something most people, who are not heavily invested in the project will do.

Q: I like it, but it'd be better if it was branded to my firm, can I get that?

A: Yes, what you're talking about is called "white-labeling", and we can do that. People live on their devices - we understand it makes sense to get your logo on a button on their home screen. Reach out to us for pricing.

Q: Why do I need a target card for the Augmented Reality model? 

A: We know there is SLAM, or ARKit technology, out there that's getting better everyday - where you don't need a physical target. But, your client is more than likely to be sitting when they review, or show this off, and having a target that can be turned independently is a better solution than making people walk around a model in the space, or virtually turn the model.

Q: I understand the impact of mobile presentation tools in intimate presentations - they are much richer than what you can do on a laptop - but the pieces still feel like pieces and not a story, what do you suggest?

A: Understood, to make an app that works for many is to abandon the opportunities that a specific project might suggest. Try as we might, there is no substitute for a custom app where content and the interface are developed in tandem. But, we can design and make one, in fact that's what we love to do  - just let us know, we can't wait to start!

Q: Do I have to allot resources for my team to learn yet ANOTHER new authoring software?

A: By and large, no. We intentionally made this to work primarily with the kinds of assets you are already creating for your presentations.

Q: Do I need content for all the areas of the app for it to work?

A: No, the app will work just fine if you only have some areas filled, however we would recommend having at least two media types to start making it worthwhile. For instance, augmented reality is still generally novel - but it fatigues pretty quickly - having somewhere else for users to go when they've drawn what they can from it, we believe, is important.   

Q: What is studio amd?

A: We're a 25 year old digital art studio that makes renderings, films, interactive experiences, and apps primarily for building projects.  

Q: I know you're primarily a creative firm, do I have to work with you guys?

A: Not for the vast majority of stuff. We will want to help guide you with the first couple apps, and help clean up/port out the augmented reality version of the model (sketchup, revit, rhino, etc...) you've made. We offer this app ultimately to provide a role mobile can play that we saw lacking  - a platform that can provide more contact points for you to lead, and a way for your clients to embrace and share their enthusiasm. We stand at the ready to make content like renderings, panoramas, VR tours, films or a digital site model - but we don't require using us creatively in order to use the platform.