VR: Architecture's Portal to the Future
This is a huge benefit for architects and clients working together.
Virtual reality (VR) tech has been around for a while, but it hasn't really caught on with most people yet. However, one area where VR is making a real difference is in architecture. VR is giving architects a cool new superpower—the ability to let their clients experience designs before they are even built!
Architects have always built miniature scale models of planned buildings. But looking down at a model doesn't give you the true feeling of being inside the building. VR headsets let architects essentially transport clients into a life-size virtual walkthrough of designs. This helps clients understand the size and flow of spaces way better than looking at flat 2D drawings.
According to architects, most clients don't instantly envision finished buildings just by looking at plans. But VR allows clients to immerse themselves in designs ahead of time. They can check out the look and feel of the building from different angles. VR makes it simpler for clients to grasp the final product and provide feedback.
So why hasn't VR exploded yet? The gear is still bulky, expensive, and not so comfortable for long use. Also, people have been wary about sharing headsets ever since Covid-19 hit. However, VR can create awesome visuals and experiences that 2D plans cannot.
Giving clients access to virtually walk through unfinished designs is changing things up though. In the past, architects controlled what views clients saw in drawings. But in a VR model, clients can look at whatever they want! This shift might lead clients to challenge architects more. The working relationship between architect and client will likely evolve as VR use increases.
Beyond VR, augmented reality (AR) tech could also transform architecture in the future. AR overlays digital images onto the real-world environment. Architects could use AR to show clients how proposed redesigns would look on existing buildings.
While VR won't replace physical models and drawings, it gives architects an edge over their old methods—making their visions easy for clients to understand and experience firsthand. VR looks set to become an important new tool for architects, even as it changes how they interact with clients. The world of architecture is being reshaped by these exciting new technologies.
