AR, VR and MR in Architecture

The architectural sector has been known to be one of the most challenging and abstract courses to study and be proficient in. By implementing Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality in this profession, gone were the days of drawing on a piece of drawing block. With these technologies, architectural professionals and students are able to convey, edit and perfect their designs and projects with the use of AR and VR technology. How? Let's explore more:

Architects are able to study the structure of buildings by physically being there to observe and gain inspiration from existing structures from centuries ago to modern buildings. What is better than being able to be experiencing the same reality from the comfort of your own home? With Virtual Reality headsets, you are able to explore the building of your choice and things around you while being seated comfortably, away from the dangers of possible robbery, pickpocketing and other misfortunes. For instance, you are able to use one of our favorite application: Eon-XR to explore buildings and structures in 360° view. Simply search for the structure of interest; i.e. Acropolis and you are able to immerse yourself in an experience beneficial for your understanding.

Increasingly, architects are integrating VR hardware into their designing and projects. It allows architects to experience their designs before they are built. This provides them, and their clients, with a sense and feel of the space. AR and VR technology can also aid in cliental needs where it will allow architects and clients alike to truly understand the spatial qualities of the project. The spatial understanding should make clients more confident in the design and reduce time spent in meetings and the use of lateral design revisions. This will in turn benefit both architects and clients while dealing in a design. Architects can also easily project the design of the building/ unit by simply using AR and VR technology.

Courtesy of AECOM

This is an amazing example of technology is the new future where a group of AECOM designers are utilizing AR headsets to observe a project. They are able to see data, phases of the project and even flood patterns which is superimposed on the model. Technology is truly mind-boggling!

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Courtesy of Micke Tong

The use of AR, VR and MR allows designers to push the boundaries of visualization, giving architects, designers and clients new ways to experience and understand a building or space long before it is actually built. With virtual reality in architecture, architects can transmit not just what a building will look like, but also what it will feel like.

“Traditionally in architecture, you have blueprints and scale models, and 3D modeling has been around in force for the last 20 years,” Jeff Mottle, president and CEO of CGarchitect Digital Media Corp.

According to a survey in CGarchitect, the majority of users of VR for architectural visualization are in Europe (40%) and the United States (21%). According to the statistics, 77% of the respondents were experimenting with VR architecture technology or planning to do so. The commenters also mentioned that this technology will be revolutionary for the architectural industry. With all the major companies investing in this technology, it would not be long before VR and AR become the new sought after and necessary technology in our daily lives.

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Archimaze also uses VR technology for architectural visualizations since the birth of their company 15 years ago. The company provides a variety of specializations ranging from 3D animations, engineering simulations and architectural visualizations. They have taken real-estate marketing to a whole new level by providing interactive walkthroughs for the clients. They are one of the first few companies in India to make mobile-based interactive walkthroughs without the use of AR and VR headgear. After having 15 years of rich experience, they have further developed their maturity in creating content specific to VR and AR which can be used by any VR devices such as the Samsung Gear VR, HTV Viveport Oculus Rift, and more. The video below is one of their VR walkthrough of a studio to be marketed to clients.

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With great power, comes great responsibility. We have seen the amazing works of how AR, VR and MR have been adapted into our lives. With these technologies being further improved and enhanced, there is no telling what our future holds. Not only does the architectural sector have been implementing these technologies since a decade ago but also other uprising sectors in business. Although there is a huge demand of AR, VR and MR technologies in the field of gaming and entertainment, it is no lie that the other sectors needs these technologies to further enhance their capabilities and reduce their limits. The more architects get involved with VR, the more they can shape the future marketplace.

“I’d really like to see these VR companies realize that there’s a market beyond gaming and the consumer market,”

“I would like them to see that there are some huge opportunities and synergies with the design world.” -Jeff Mottle