Augmented and Virtual Reality Leads Space Planning and Design into the Future

Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are at the forefront of spatial design technology. With the ability to show architects and designers what a project will look like, in 3D, these technologies are truly revolutionizing the world of design. [caption id="attachment_4399" align="alignleft" width="300"]

(Photo Credit: Ice Edge)[/caption]So, what exactly are augmented and virtual reality? According to Architect Magazine, AR adds computer-generated objects and textures to real-world environments while VR immerses users in a digital simulation of a real environments. This is incredibly beneficial to designers because, in the past, all the work had to be done on paper or two-dimensional computer systems. Now, these technologies allow designers to create and modify a space with true dimensions.There are many different types of AR and VR systems being developed for spatial designers. Smartphone apps like Google’s Project Tango are fast becoming popular while computer systems like IceEdge (developed by our partners at DIRTT) also give designers the ability to create and manage their projects all in one location. These innovations save designers time and space as they no longer have to spend hours drawing out each project and then finding somewhere to store the blueprints.

While these new technologies open up a world of new possibilities for designers, they aren’t without their share of drawbacks. According to ArchDaily, these programs rely upon data that has to be incredibly accurate for the design to even function. If these systems make a mistake anywhere, the project will have to be redone. Also, there’s a lack of support for these programs across the design industry. While there are developer packs that people can use to update their systems, there is universally accepted design hardware. With new technologies being developed every day, the art of spatial design will continue to adapt and evolve. While we don’t know where the next innovation will come from, we do know that AR and VR are leading designers into the future.