Architecture Goes Open Source

"As you can imagine, designing $400 huts for a Caribbean island doesn't pay much. So why make even less by giving your ideas away? Aside from the good karma, it might just get you a slew of streamlining tools -- and more work, even some that pays.

Nonprofit Architecture for Humanity is convincing the building industry to share -- be it blueprints, engineering specs or construction tips -- through its latest project, the Open Architecture Network.

The open source site, which goes into beta today, is a one-stop spot for anyone involved with innovative and sustainable buildings (think: architects, engineers, community leaders, nonprofit groups, government agencies and technology companies). Consider it the match.com for architects wanting to meet community leaders and nonprofits with open dance cards, when it comes to backers and builders for a project.

Loaded with projects and concepts, the site is built so people can upload info, comment on and, in some cases, download building or project specs. Housed on two servers totaling six terabytes, the site doesn't limit file size -- a major coup for architects who typically work on megabyte-heavy CAD files."