Virtual Reality in Home Design
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The phrase of ‘I'll believe it when I see it’ is common across all aspects of home and business design. From architecture and property development to interior design, a strong and clear visual narrative is crucial. This is not only to convince clients, but also others such as local planners, about the merits of unique concepts and ambitious designs.
There are a variety of ways this can be achieved. 2D plans and elevations are still crucial to any project, while 3D renders and digital flythrough videos have joined them over the years. These are effective, to a degree, but they are only able to provide clients with a limited idea of how a project will look in person.
“Rather than standing outside the window peering in, virtual reality places you 'in' a space, allowing you to fully explore and edit it to your tastes. In the years to come, no home will be designed without customers stepping into a virtual version beforehand. Residential design will be come reliant on VR as a powerful visual tool.” Krystian Zajac, chairman of Andrew Lucas Studios.
Virtual reality experiences can be built out of existing software that architects already use – such as Vectorworks, SketchUp and Revit amongst others. These are then refined to create realistic, explorable environments.The user can then experience a 360° view of a specific space. Depending on the interactivity desired, this can be as simple as a single, static observation point or the ability to roam inside and around. Different design elements can be made interactive so the user can toggle design options or understand how something would work in real life.
Virtual reality allows designers and clients to quickly spot any improvements or opportunities in the design, which may not be apparent in drawings. From the client’s perspective, such an experience can help them understand their project and the architect's concepts better.
An architect can also chart the end user experience through a proposed space. This can then be used to inform and influence the design before construction begins. For commercial spaces where heavy footfall is expected, such as an airport, this can be immensely useful.
For sensitive building projects where the community need to be engaged with, VR could be used to easily address any concerns. By placing a property in context, you can gain a clearer understanding of what is being planned. This can prevent emotionally-charged objections based on fear, rather than facts.
Many architectural studios now create inspiring and lifelike virtual reality experiences. The little details can be all the difference between impressing a client, or leaving them underwhelmed with a complex concept.
