Road Testing the Photosynth Panorama App

Microsoft's Photosynth Panorama App is a mobile phone app that lets you capture 360 degree panoramic photos. These can be viewed as swipable panoramas on your iPhone, iPad or Windows Phone, shared online or exported as simple jpgs.

Road Testing the Sketchup Web Exporter

Google Sketchup’s 3D Web Exporter allows you to generate web-based 3D views of your Sketchup models, that can be rotated and viewed from 360 degrees. We took the Sketchup Web Exporter plugin for a test drive to see how easily it can be used.

Recommended Reading: 'The Transition Handbook – From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience' by Rob Hopkins

In his 2008 book, Rob Hopkins argues that peak oil and climate change are inextricably linked, will have a massive impact on all aspects of modern life and an outlines how this 'transition' can be used as an opportunity to improve the economy, our lifestyles, diet, health, and the resilience of local communities.

The Peak Oil theory sensibly states that as there is only so much oil available on this planet, eventually its supply will peak and decline, causing energy costs to rise. Some people argue that this peak in production has already been reached. While the date of the peak is debatable, the inevitability of the peak itself is undeniable and the sooner we prepare for rising energy costs, the better prepared we will be.

Recommended Reading: 'How Bad are Bananas? - The Carbon Footprint of Everything' by Mike Berners-Lee

In this highly accessible read, Tim Berners-Lee aims to demystify the world of carbon footprints and give the reader an 'instinct for carbon', similar to most peoples' instinct for money. In the same way that you know that a car costs a lot more to buy than a chocolate bar, Berners-Lee sets out how everyday objects and activities relate to each other in terms of their global warming impact, commonly described as carbon footprints.

'Concrete: a studio design guide' published by RIBA Publishing

'Concrete: a studio design guide' by Michael Stacey is available now and includes contributions from Studio 425 member John Inglis. The book is part technical primer, part inspirational source book and part everyday reference, covering subjects such as sustainability, framing and how architects like Herzog and de Meuron go about producing high quality fair faced finishes for interior and exterior use.