Researching design projects got a little easier this week with the launch of OpenBuildings.com. The Wikipedia-style Web site is specifically geared for the A&D community, featuring a community-driven encyclopedia of international design project information.

OpenBuildings allows users to easily search for their architecture of interest, aggregating content from multiple online sources, including multimedia sites such as FLickr, YouTube, Vimeo, as well as Amazon and A&D trade publications. Compiled information includes grids, lists, slideshows, a Google map overlay, and grids. A free iPhone application for designers on the go will soon be available to deliver access to OpenBuildings information.

“The construction industry is woefully unrepresented online. With eight million people working in construction in the UK alone, it is astonishing there is no resource online where information can be freely shared,” says Adel Zakout, co-founder and CEO of OpenBuildings.com. “We think OpenBuildings is a dynamic solution to this, which has already received some very flattering interest. We are hoping to announce further developments and partnerships in the coming weeks.”

Firms seeking to submit projects for publishing on OpenBuildings can visit to http://openbuildings.com/buildings/submit.html or send their project details and photos  via e-mail to submit@openbuildings.com

OpenBuildings.com was founded by Adel Zakout and Tom Mallory, who both studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. The site was developed over in the first half of 2010 and aspires to become the online hub for information and education among the industry.