AR & VR AS ENHANCEMENTS OR REPLACEMENT OF SCALE MODELS

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are buzzwords in the tech world today. What was once science fiction 10 years ago is now a reality. People are already enjoying experiences in both VR and AR while playing games and on metaverse platforms. Giant technology companies such as Facebook’s parent company, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Epic Games are investing significant resources to develop metaverses for users and players to experience real-time 3D virtual worlds for various reasons.

That being said, AR and VR are also being used in the fields of architecture and construction. With these technologies, prospective clients can now get to experience the design of the building and its amenities in a 3D virtual world before going ahead with the project. AR and VR are transforming the fields of architecture and construction, as architects are now able to see the output of their design from every angle in virtual reality and showcase their vision to their clients with just a laptop and a VR headset.

What are VR and AR? 

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional (3D) design or image that people can interact with. For VR to work, a person must wear a VR headset to see and interact with the environment. In this immersive experience, people can virtually travel from room to room and get a visual experience of each part of the building. This is a great way to present a project to clients and get their feedback before construction has even begun.

Augmented Reality (AR) is the layering of computer-generated digital elements over the real world to create an experience that people can interact with. This is achieved by wearing smart eyewear that seamlessly overlays visual, auditory, and haptic sensory modalities over real objects. Currently, AR experiences can be accessed through smartphone apps, where the phone’s camera captures the real world on the phone’s screen and the app then overlays digital content over it.

AR & VR As Enhancements To Scale Model Building

Scale model building can be enhanced with AR and VR as these technologies can be used to showcase the different features of a scale model. By scanning QR codes with their smartphones located in different places on the scale model, people can access an AR experience of the property and see how parts of the project function. AR can be used to see how vehicles will move around the property and see how people can interact with the landscape. AR can be used in collaborative team environments where ideas, notes, and changes can be superimposed on a project for the benefit of everyone involved. The AR software can be downloaded onto tablets and smartphones and then used to overlay the design in that location to help solve problems quickly.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is a three-dimensional model of the project that clients and property developers can explore. It gives people a chance to evaluate the property in 3D virtual reality to see the design up close and provide feedback in real-time. When combined with scale models, VR can help architects and engineers explain the project specifications much more accurately to the customer. During the ideation phase, clients can move furniture and other features of the building around in VR to give the architect or interior designer a clearer picture of their intention. The architect can then use this information to rework the schematics, thereby avoiding wasting resources and time later on. This also helps customers visualize and experience their would-be home by adding different elements such as a coat of paint in their favourite colour, different types of furniture, curtains, electronics, etc.

Limitations of VR and AR

Though there are many benefits to AR and VR, these technologies are still considered immature, that is, they are still being developed and have insufficient real-world testing. For construction and engineering applications, a high level of efficiency, accuracy, and consistency is required, which these technologies are still not able to guarantee all the time. The novelty, learning curve, and high cost of these technologies make them difficult for everyone to adopt. A stable internet connection is also required for AR and VR to function optimally. That being said, it is just a matter of time before all these issues are ironed out and more people start adopting both AR and VR.