As humans, we each possess highly individualised imaginations, so when we receive information we create idiosyncratic interpretations in our minds. This concept applies to almost every fragment of data our brains process, but especially when we need to create spaces or worlds in our minds.

Books are to floor plans as films are to virtual reality

If we consider the case of the book versus the film, this concept becomes clearer. Authors often leave some of their work open to interpretation, or purposefully withhold information so that the reader can create these aspects as they wish. Films on the other hand, do not necessarily allow for such open interpretation; we get what we see. The characters are defined. The setting has been chosen. The director’s world has been created. The same can be said of architectural virtual reality (VR), albeit with more uninhibited client-consultant collaboration.

From an architectural stance, the Delta BEC Virtual Reality Services team combines entire Building information models (BIMs), from architectural designs/models discussed with the clients and structural engineering models to services models (such as water and HVAC) and, essentially, retextures and redesigns everything so that it fits into a VR 3D space.

Consequently, VR facilitates an unparalleled arena for advanced clash detection, cost savings and precaution before going to construction.

How does virtual reality impact the built environment/industry?

What is a 12 m³ space? What does it feel like? Just as a picture paints a thousand words, VR paints those words into an invaluable, felt experience for space planning. Books, floor plans, traditional 3D visualisations and designs, and even animated fly-throughs leave a vast amount of detail open to interpretation. They cannot definitively communicate the feel of the size and/or the space. They cannot communicate the exact experience. They cannot give you the indispensable encounter that is: experiencing clash detection. However, virtual reality can.

For instance, an architect designs a building and everything on their sketches looks correct, until you walk through that building in VR and see the actual space. You may start seeing walls inadvertently colliding, walls not going all the way to the floor, lights clashing with pipes or fire sprinklers, and so forth.

Mistakes on every BIM level are exposed and can be addressed and rectified before going to construction.

How does VR enhance architectural projects?

Even though visualisations, concept designs and models are produced in 3D, they are, in reality, only perceived in 2D (on screen or in print). Conversely, VR is produced and perceived in 3D, engaging the individual in a spatial experience (including interaction with virtual objects) that cannot be compared to models, floor plans or sketches. This spatial experience provides clients with the knowledge of exactly what they are going to get, while additionally affording clients the opportunity to make real-time adjustments as necessary.

Consider a three-minute animated fly- or walk-through in a space. The designer needs at least three weeks to produce the animation and the client is forced to follow the path the designer provides. Whereas with VR, not only is the production time much faster than animation creation and production, but the client also has the freedom to move, inspect, assay or experience the space as they wish. This becomes particularly pertinent when a project space needs to be assessed and experienced by numerous experts from diverse fields. A project or business manager will have a very different perspective to the head of security, and each will have their own unique criteria for the building and/or space.

VR has the capacity to accommodate client freedom as well as a variety of perspectives, allowing for enhanced communication both internally and externally.

VR has an extensive range of applications, not limited to architectural design and client feedback. VR can also be used for real-life simulations in virtually real spaces to determine, for example, how many people and/or queues an airport hallway can conceivably and comfortably accommodate. Similarly, VR can be used for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) trials, such as fire safety training and drills and/or intricate machine dis/assembly.

You don’t need to watch Ready Player One, or read the book,  or even remember Neo and The Matrix  to appreciate the extent to which VR can be used in the architectural field. You simply need to appreciate the technology, the ease and assorted benefits that Delta BEC’s VR Services can bring to your experience as a client.

Contact us for more information.