The Possibilities that AR opens for Architecture

Augmented Reality is the placement of virtual elements that interact with reality. This process has been perfected through time and it has reached a level of availability and usability that makes it a pretty viable alternative for many professionals. It has proven to be particularly useful for construction and architecture, opening a whole new world of possibilities in several aspects of these fields.

The most immediate benefit for planning and design visualization is the ability to virtually place projects in the context that will surround them. This is useful for planning and developing these buildings, as well as for showcasing them for clients or investors. It also allows architects to take more accurate measures and to include other elements without the need to speculate. 

Another area that can benefit from the implementation of augmented reality is the inspection of construction. This use needs a more sophisticated device for a deep exploration of a building’s structure. With the correct software, architects can have access to visualizations of different layers of a building, being able to detect specific issues, to analyze materials and to develop plans beyond 2D. Now it is even possible to implement virtual model holograms that let us understand the project, the technical installations and the inherent hazards and possibilities.

Augmented reality can substantially facilitate the decision making process for architects and engineers while providing them a more extensive certainty and more elements than the traditional tools for construction planning. This does not only affect the project’s development, it also creates a safer environment for construction workers, and it can save a considerable amount of time, resources and money. As this technology is advancing, it is also becoming more available. There’s no doubt that in the future, not so far from today, it will be a general tool for building developers.  YOU MUST READ Zaha Hadid’s Legacy

• Jeff Yoders, “What Is Augmented Reality, and How Can It Help Architects and Contractors?”, Red Shift Autodesk, https://redshift.autodesk.com/what-is-augmented-reality/
• “Augmented reality for architecture and construction”, V Sight, https://www.vsight.io/augmented-reality-for-architecture-and-construction/
• Jan Fikipowiak, “Augmented Reality (AR) in Architecture”, Virtualist, https://virtualist.app/augmented-reality-ar-in-architecture/