25 Tools and Devices for Architects
There are plenty of tools and devices that I use every day as an architect that I’ve found helpful in streamlining my day to day activities. From being able to work at home or while traveling to efficiently working through issues that arise during construction, the tools and devices that I’ll be sharing in this post have made my life as an architect manageable and more comfortable. Here are 25 tools and devices that I would recommend to architects.
1. Apple iPad Pro + Apple Pencil or Microsoft Surface + Pen
One of the most helpful tools that I use both during the design stages of a project and during construction is an Apple iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil. Similarly, if you prefer to use android and windows based products, the Microsoft Surface and Pen are comparable alternatives among many others.
Five of the most common apps that I use on a day to day basis to accomplish my tasks as an architect are Procreate, Photoshop, Lightroom, Submittal Exchange, and Plan Grid. With the exception of Procreate, the other 4 apps are available as a software on desktops and laptops. Procreate is akin to sketching on paper with a pencil, but I have to admit that it really doesn’t have the same feel as the gruffness of pen on paper. Photoshop and Lightroom are great for editing graphics on the go including renderings and photographs. Submittal exchange (if you have data on your tablet) allows me to review Requests for Information (RFIs), submittals, meeting minutes, and others. Plan Grid on a tablet saves 90% of the time that it used to take to perform construction administration activities on site. More on these apps are in the next section.
The versatility of tablets and the way that they streamline everything from calendars, reminders, and daily tasks will save so much time on every stage of a project. I’d find it difficult to go out to a construction site without my iPad in hand and Plan Grid open ready to review and document issues throughout the job site. By using my iPad in this way alone, I’ve already paid for the iPad tenfold based on the efficiency I’ve gotten throughout every project.
2. Workstation
Without diving into the Apple versus Windows debate, having an up-to-date desktop such as the iMac, iMac Pro, Dell Precision 7910 or greater, and similar windows based computers is critical for all architects. I use Dell Precision 7910 (they’re now onto 7920 in 2019) for all of my Building Information Modeling (BIM) work, graphics in Adobe software, and all construction activities. I can’t say much about Apple’s computers for architects aside from the fact that they’re capable of running BIM software such as Vectorworks (a great alternative to Autodesk Revit) without an issue and all their business related software and interoperability with other Apple devices is streamlined and increases efficiency.
I’ve used Dell Precision towers for a little over a decade now and I’ve never had an issue with its performance while developing large complex models in Autodesk Revit. When built correctly with a solid state hard drive, top of the line graphics card for workstations, lots of RAM, and a great processor, these computers won’t struggle with BIM models until they get overwhelmingly large (5GB plus in file size). Even then, it takes a lot of detailed modeling – like a library project where I modeled thousands of books for rendering purposes – to really slow down the computer. There are comparable alternatives out there from companies like Hewlett Packard, but I’ve come to trust Apple and Dell products for all my needs.
3. Laptop
One of my latest purchases was an Alienware laptop from Dell that’s built for gaming including virtual reality. However, the purpose of the laptop is to be able to work while traveling and also to develop renderings in Lumion Pro version 9. This rendering software is graphics based and operates almost exactly like a first person video game. Therefore, the type of video card, processor, and amount of RAM needed to efficiently build and render models in the software is critical. If you plan to develop renderings using Lumion Pro, check out this post where I give some basic tips for beginners.
If you’re planning to use the laptop to manage a business, present to clients, and travel with less focus on developing BIM models and renderings, I highly recommend either the Apple Macbook Pro or Macbook Air. The Macbook Pro will allow you to develop some graphics using Adobe software on the go while the Macbook Air will be easier to transport everywhere due to its lightweight construction.
4. 3D Scanner
My latest favorite tools to use out in the field to document existing conditions is a 3D Scanner. More specifically, I’ve been using the Leica BLK360 device with Autodesk ReCap on an Apple iPad Pro. The way this device works is that I’d show up to the existing space where I need to document the existing conditions including measurements and photographs of all building components. Once I get to the space, I take out the Leica BLK360 device, place it onto the tripod as level as possible, take out my iPad Pro, open Autodesk ReCap, synchronize the Leica BLK360 via Bluetooth (only need to do this once), and click the scan button.
When the scan is complete, I move the Leica BLK360 to a new location with visual connections to the previous location and scan again. This allows the software and scanner to develop a connected view of the space. Best of all, each scan provides a 360 photograph of the space so I can review any missed elements later at the office. This is a great tool for documenting existing conditions in complex spaces or at projects located far from home. When the final scans are compiled, they can be used as a point cloud model in Autodesk Revit or simply viewed and measured in Autodesk ReCap.
A final note on the Leica BLK360 – it’s a very expensive tool to add to an office, but if there are lots of renovation projects in the office, the 3D scanner will save lots of time and pay for itself through its efficiency. It also allows us to increase our fees for documenting existing conditions since it’s more precise and saves everyone time.
5. Laser Measurer
For the majority of us who can’t afford a 3D scanner of our own, the next best option for field verification visits is a laser measurer. I’ve personally used ones from two companies; Leica and Bosch. Personally, I like the laser measurers from both of these companies because they’ve been very accurate and easy to use. The speed in which I can measure a space using a laser measurer in addition to a tape measure saves a lot of time on projects. Even though my office has a Leica BLK360 scanner, we often bring a tape measure and laser measurer to smaller projects where the scanner would take more time to setup, use, and process. We also use these measuring devices during construction when issues arise or if there are minor things to verify.
6. Portable Charger
With all the devices I’m constantly carrying around like my smartphone and tablet, it’s important to always have a portable charger for long field visits, meetings, and while traveling. There’s nothing worse than showing up to perform a punchlist using Plan Grid on my iPad Pro and having less than 15% of battery remaining or needing to call into a conference call with a phone that’s nearly out of battery. With the low cost of portable chargers, it’s a must have for everyone who travels and are out on site often. These are very helpful for traveling with a 3D scanner because you’ll likely drain the battery on your tablet if you’re scanning a large existing building with no outlets nearby.
7. DSLR Camera + Wide Angle Lens
From traveling to photographing built and in-progress design work, a DSLR camera is an important addition to every architect’s tool kit. As architects, we learn about the built environment best when we’re sketching, making a model, traveling to new places, and exploring architecture. A DSLR camera allows us to share the world from our perspective, capture memories and places that we’ve experienced and loved, and create content to build our own brand. The camera that I’ve used from their latest model in 2010 and recently upgraded is the Canon EOS 80D.
When paired with a great wide angle lens, or a tilt-shift lens if money isn’t a factor, the Canon EOS 80D takes beautiful photographs and provides features that makes it simple for beginners to learn the different settings of the camera. From the smart technology that selects the best settings for the scene being photographed to providing full manual control of the entire camera, I’ve enjoyed using my Canon EOS 80D paired with my 17-40mm Canon Ultrawide Angle Lens during my travels. A telephoto lens is also a fantastic addition to the camera arsenal for shots from a distance such as this one that I took of the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, ON from the USA side of the falls.
Understandably, DSLR cameras and lenses are typically out of most architects’ budgets and there are the alternatives of using a smartphone for photography, especially because their camera and technology get exponentially better every year. There are also smaller lightweight cameras with lens interchangeability that take beautiful photographs and videos that come at a much lower cost like the Sony Alpha 6000 that my sister bought for her travels around the world. When we bought our cameras, we found bundles from Amazon that provided lots of travel accessories and lenses with the camera. If you’re in the market for one, I recommend looking for a bundle to save on costs.
8. 11x17 Clip Board
There are still days where a project under construction or a existing building requires a site visit where we need to carry around a clip board and scaled to fit drawings on 11x17 paper. There are lots of architects who don’t own or have access to a 3D scanner for field measuring. I’ve seen consultants carry 8.5 x 11 clip boards and folded 11x17 drawings fumbling through pages as we stood in an area that needed to be reviewed or looking for a hard flat surface to place their drawings to write their notes. Fortunately, my office has a set of 11x17 acrylic clipboards that make these trips a lot easier by laying all my drawings flat and having a hard surface to markup drawings. It’s very helpful for field measurements when a colleague is measuring and you’re holding the clip board with the drawings taking notes.
9. VR Headset
With the evolving rendering software and technology available to architects, having a virtual reality headset is starting to be one of our best design and marketing tools in the office with new clients. For visionary and innovative projects that come with forward thinking clients, we’ve developed virtual renderings that allow our clients to move through a space, look around, and experience how the space would appear in reality. We started with the simple comfort headset for smartphones where we uploaded our renders to a phone, placed it in the front of the headset, and passed it to our clients and team members. Now, we’ve invested in a comfortable and better headset that provides higher resolution images, which continues to get positive reactions from our clients. We use a combination of the Oculus Rift and IrisVR software to allow clients to walk through BIM models as well as 360 panoramas generated in Lumion.
10. Moleskine Sketchbooks
I’ve gone through my fair share of sketchbooks ranging from the classic Moleskine (about $15+) to the lower cost similar versions (approximately $10) and at some point decided that I’d only get Moleskines until technology fully takes over the printed world. My experience with the cheaper alternatives is that they typically break at the spine, pages separate, and the hardcover doesn’t hold its original shape. The classic sketchbooks and notebooks from Moleskine has been the total opposite experience where each of my books, including one that was beat up during travels, have retained their original appearance and quality.
11. LED Desk Lamp + Charger
One of the purchases that my office made almost a decade ago was LED desk lamps that come with USB ports for charging devices and offer a range of light settings. Aside from the efficiency of LED lights, my desk lamp has a few preset settings meant for reading, relaxing, and illuminating the space. Each of these settings have different amounts of cool and warm light to create an ambiance and provide enough light for the task being performed. I use my desk lamp every day to charge my phone, as backlight on cloudy days when my office area gets really dark, and when I need to sketch or read hard copies of construction documents.
12. Glowforge Laser Cutter
After kick starting my Glowforge, which is a desk top laser cutter, I’ve had nothing but great things to say about the product. The reason why the Glowforge laser cutter is one that I recommend to everyone isn’t only because of the great physical machine, but it’s actually because of the intuitive interface, constant software development and updates, and the great online community of laser cutting enthusiasts. My favorite feature is the onboard camera that shows the material on the cutting bed and the software that allows you to move your cuts where you want them to be. Cut/etch settings can also be adjusted and saved for future projects. The laser cutter can be used to make gifts, products (like the leather ones I’ve been making and selling at Mars Leather Company), architecture models, and craft hobbies.
13. Warby Parker (Eyewear)
Based on my list of architect friends and colleagues, I’ve noticed that a lot of us wear prescription glasses every day. In the past, getting a new pair of prescription glasses and sunglasses every year or two was a big expense that averaged about $750. After losing my prescription sunglasses that cost $450, I started researching lower cost alternatives and found Warby Parker. My experience with this company has been a 10/10 because of their excellent customer service. To make a long story short, my optometrist gave me the wrong prescription and Warby Parker’s customer service team changed it 4 times at no additional cost to me, even though it wasn’t their fault! The same purchase of a pair of prescription glasses and sunglasses cost $320 total from Warby Parker instead of $750 and doesn’t compromise beautiful design and quality.
The best part about Warby Parker is their home try-on program where you can order 5 sample frames at a time to try on at home for free to find the ones that fit you best. Here’s a link to the try-on program.
14. Boosted Rev (Transportation in Urban Areas)
A product that I’ve added to my list of prospective products and looking forward to purchasing in the future is an electric scooter from a company named Boosted called the Boosted Rev. Recently, I decided to give my car to my girlfriend to commute to her new job that’s about 22 miles one way from our house, which forced me to find a new means of transportation. My commute is roughly 6 miles one way to the office and I decided to use my road bike for the time being. There are some great dedicated bike lanes to make my ride safe, but there are also areas where I share the road with cars going 45+ miles per hour.
While researching an alternative means of transportation that would go slightly quicker and make my commute more enjoyable, I was interested in the Boosted Board, which many people who follow YouTubers like Casey Neistat would know. That’s when I learned about their latest release at the end of summer 2019 of the Boosted Rev, which is an electric scooter that goes up to 24mph with 22 mile range on full battery. Imagine passing cars stuck in the morning and evening traffic – especially in cities like Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, and others where there’s always stop and go traffic just to commute 6 miles – at a speed of 24mph. The amount of time you can save by using this scooter would pay for it. The safety features such as the headlight and tail light and 3 different brakes make it even more compelling. The size of the scooter would also allow it to fit anywhere in my house – especially where I store my bike. The only downside I’ve found is the weight, which is 47 pounds and the idea of trying to lug it around a store for a quick stop.
Any architect in a city working within a 10mile radius of their home would find the Boosted Board, Boosted Rev, and a lower cost alternative like the Xiaomi Scooter a great way of commuting to and from the office. Biking into work is also a great way of getting exercise, but there are some downsides to this like the size of the bike, storage, and cooling down when you get to your destination.
15. LED Flashlight and Headlamp
A must have tool for visiting any construction site is an LED flashlight and/or a headlamp for viewing conditions above ceilings, behind wall cavities, machine rooms, and other areas with little to no light. I used to think that I could just rely on the flashlight on the back of my smartphone, but after one site visit where I couldn’t get enough light in an area about 10 feet away from me, I decided it was time to start bringing around an LED flashlight. Other folks in my office use a headlamp, which I’ve been debating as a purchase for my construction kit. It helps to have one while developing a punchlist in dark areas – especially if you’re using Plan Grid on an iPad. It’ll get light in the areas needed for a photograph instead of hoping that the flash from the camera will capture what you need. A good flashlight is an LED one with an adjustable beam feature and a headlamp that provides lots of light.
16. Embody Chair or Aeron Chair
When I graduated from architecture school and started setting up an office area in my apartment and eventually my house, I was reluctant to spend a lot of money on a good office chair. After researching and learning a lot about the benefits of having a great ergonomically designed chair with features that assist better posture, I decided it was time to purchase one that was right for me. When considering the fact that we generally sit for a majority of our day as architects, our chair becomes one of the most important parts of our lives. With lots of research, I was deciding between two chairs from Herman Miller; the Embody Chair or the larger size Aeron Chair with the neck rest.
Ultimately, I decided on the Embody Chair and after 3 years of constantly using it, my body is grateful that I made the choice. I can sit in the Embody chair for hours without feeling fatigue and I love the way that it conforms to the different contours of my body. The adjustments also allow full control of things like height, seat depth, recline, and so on. For architects who work with many manufacturers and purchase things for personal use, my suggestion is to call the manufacturer or a local representative where you plan to purchase an office chair (like the ones mentioned here) and let them know you’re an architect interested in purchasing one for personal use.
17. Adjustable Desk (Sit or stand)
For the past 4 years, I’ve had an adjustable desk that brings my monitors from a sitting height to a standing height and my body is grateful that I have this feature. Throughout the day, I do my best to get up, walk around the office, stretch my legs, and get my blood flowing. On days where I have so much going on that I just can’t seem to get away from my desk, I find myself going from sitting to standing at least once every two hours. This simple move helps me get my mind back on track and focused on the tasks at hand. Once I start feeling fatigued, I lower the desk to sit. The one that I have at my office is the adjustable one that’s set on the top of my fixed height desk like this one from Amazon. The kind of adjustable desk I’ll likely purchase for my home office in the future is the automated adjustable desk that lifts and lowers with the push of a button.
18. Standing Mat
Personally, I like to take my shoes off when I get to my desk and get straight to work. There’s something about having my feet on the ground around me that feels better than having shoes on all day. With a standing desk, this can get tiring in weird ways. Sometimes, my feet ache a little bit from standing and other times the area at the base of my toes start to feel fatigued. That’s where the standing Mat can really help because it provides the cushion that I need when standing barefoot at my workstation. It helps me stand for longer periods of time without the aches in my feet and the fatigue in my body.
19. Steelcase Footrest
A colleague of mine introduced me to a footrest from Steelcase called the Campfire footrest and shared with me the way that it helps his posture while sitting at his desk for long periods of time. Steelcase recently developed a new version of their footrest that takes up less space and could be used in different positions based on how you’re sitting. I’ve been using a footrest at my desk for the past two years and I’ve found it to be very helpful in keeping a good posture, stretching my legs, and focusing on my work. This is especially true with the adjustable footrest that can hold your feet up low, medium, and high to stretch out different muscles and accommodate different seated positions.
20. High Quality Headphones and Earbuds
There are lots of different companies that provide great sound canceling headphones that help us stay focused while working and traveling. I’ve always loved Bose headphones and I’ve been using the wired sound canceling over-ear headphones since 2011. Even after the ear muffs started ripping away and the foam padding was exposed, I found replacement muffs for $5 on Amazon and simple changed them out. They’re still going strong and they’ve helped me stay focused while writing a book, developing content for Journey of an Architect, and designing architecture projects.
For daily commutes, travels, workouts, and general business obligations, I personally use Powerbeats Pro earbuds in black. These earbuds have similar qualities to the AirPod Pro with the biggest difference being the over ear hook. For intense workout and running sessions, I’ve found the over ear hook to be essential for keeping my earbuds in my ears. I also use these earbuds to make phone calls, listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks. AirPod Pros were a runner up to the Powerbeats Pro for me because the quality and functions are exceptional.
21. Espresso Maker, Steamer, and Bean Grinder
When I graduated from architecture school, I gave up espresso and coffee and started drinking tea every day to get over the reliance I developed on strong caffeine. Like many architects who have a love of coffee and espresso, I wanted to enjoy the drink for what it was instead of relying on it solely for the energy it provided. In 2019, I finally decided to get back into espresso drinks, especially lattes and cappuccinos, because I enjoy the flavor and the craft of these beverages. I’m slowly getting into it so that I don’t fall in love with the feeling that comes with a boost of energy. Instead, I’m just enjoying it for the taste and gradually learning to enjoy the energy that comes with it. If I worked from home or had lots of money to invest in an espresso maker, I’d likely purchase one from Breville that does the bean grinding, tamping, steaming, and espresso all in one machine.
22. Garment Duffel Bag
When you get to a point where you start traveling for work, it’s time to get a garment duffel bag that’ll keep your dress clothes safe and in great condition throughout the trip. Whenever I travel, I also want to be able to pack athletic clothes to get a run in the evening or early morning. That’s where the garment duffel bag comes in handy because they allow you to store your dress clothes in a protected area of the bag, roll it up into a duffel, and pack more clothes inside. Once it’s packed, you simply zip the top to close it up and it becomes a carry-on bag for traveling. I purchased on when they were just getting on the market for a high cost and lower quality materials. These days, you can find one that does a great job, looks fashionable, and makes traveling easy.
23. Yeti or Zojirushi Travel Mug
As I start driving to project meetings and job sites further away from home, but close enough where flights aren’t available or wouldn’t make a difference in travel time, I like having a good espresso or tea drink with me throughout the trip. Until recently, I’ve never owned a travel mug and I’ve been in love with one from Zojirushi with my colleagues recommending ones from Yeti. The travel mug from Zojirushi keeps drinks hot all day, which can be difficult for people who like to start comfortably drinking their preferred drinks after a few minutes. My latte was still at boiling temperature after about 30 minutes of being in the travel mug, which makes it perfect for long trips. My friend’s preference is the Yeti travel mug that he’s had for years and I’ll be sure to add it to my collection when I’m ready for a new one.
24. Apple Watch
Every architect knows that when we get in the zone when developing BIM models and construction documents, we often lose track of time and find ourselves sitting in the same position all day. We also have days when we’re putting out fires and need to be in 10 places at the same time. That’s where I’ve found the Apple Watch to be very helpful for my day to day activities and health when paired with my iPhone. All my meetings and events, tasks, emails, messages, phone calls, active goals, podcasts, meditation apps, and music are seamlessly synchronized on my watch. When I want to get away from it all during a run, I simply connect my Bluetooth headphones, turn my watch on do not disturb, and go. It reminds me to do simple things like stand after 50 minutes of sitting or to walk somewhere to start closing the exercise or calorie ring for my exercise goal. I can also quick respond to messages with the tap of a button or asking Siri to do it for me.
25. The Essentials
I won’t dive too deep into the essentials for architects because we all know the standard tools that vary from architect to architect. Tools like a scale, trace paper, felt tip pins, drafting pens, drafting dots, French curves (for the fancy hand drawing architect), drafting tubes (very helpful for transporting drawings in bad weather), and so on. There’s also the protective gear for job site visits like a reflective vest, jacket, hardhat, steel toe shoe, ear plugs, and so on.
Conclusion
As we all start to find the things that makes our lives and careers as architects more simple and efficient, there will always be tools and devices that we can benefit or find joy from. These 25 tools and devices are basic ones that have made my journey as an architect enjoyable and easier. Let me know what tools and devices have helped you in your life and career as an architect in the comments section below!
P.S.: Links contained in this post are with companies that I am affiliated with, which means I will earn a commission for purchases that are made through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
