No matter how hyped and exciting augmented reality is, most people still associate it with the entertainment industry and video games. However, augmented reality has many other, more practical applications in different industries like the manufacturing, retail, healthcare, real estate, and automotive industry that are already benefiting from AR.

Augmented reality is also very present in interior design as there are more and more hardware and apps emerging for this purpose. However, many people are not witnessing this change firsthand and the adoption of AR in regards to various design projects is imminent in the future.

This is why we’ve decided to talk a bit about this technology, its uses, how it fits with interior design, architectural projects, and how it can help the industry.

The role of technology in interior design

The interior design industry has changed and evolved with new technologies. Even though AutoCAD is still considered to be “the” norm for technical designing, we are already witnessing the appearance of many new apps that work faster, have more versatility, come with more features and tools, and help promote creative work.

Revit and Sketchup are already starting to replace AutoCAD as these software solutions are more robust programs that offer a better user experience with more options for quality visualizations and renders. All of this is an omen to technology and how much it has improved the entire design world.

However, now, technology is going a step further and merging architecture with virtual reality and augmented reality. With VR, users are able to emerge themselves in a 3D environment and see it through special headsets.

On the other hand, augmented reality is a simpler technology which allows users to use a mobile device to see overlay virtual elements throughout the physical world.

The value that AR brings to property construction

Let’s start talking about the very beginning of the lifecycle of any real-estate property. At this point, architects are already in deep trouble and they have their hands full. This is why there are many of them who use new technologies to start their designs from scratch.

Apart from using visualization software for design projects, and rendering software, they also use augmented reality. The issue for architects is to transfer their initial drawing of a certain interior and bring it into the real world. This is where AR can be of great help.

The AR technology used in architecture can be used to generate 3D models of all structures and their interior. Also, the interior content with feature immersive details. At the same time, they can overlay all this with animations to better present how the property, as well as the people in and around it, will behave.

During the prototyping phase and when moving onto construction, this technology can be used to improve and even completely replace all drawings used by engineers or designers. AR also helps reduce mistakes with these projects, saves money, and makes projecting more accurate.

How it works

AR places 3D models into a property via a mobile device. In this situation, it is used as a replacement for VR as it skips the step of having to transfer certain drawings of construction plans from 3D to 2D and back to 3D. All of the elements of a model are directly put on the site and all of the changes are visible in real time.

Here are some of the major advantages that AR brings to the table and why this technology is quickly becoming a standard in design and architecture:

- These tools are great solutions for reducing any building errors, spotting mistakes, and avoiding reworks and changes.

- The investors or buyers will have the opportunity to see how the design, both the interior and the exterior, will look like. What’s even better is that they will be able to see the final products before the construction starts.

- It is possible to collaborate with designers or architects in real time. You can recognize problems, issues with construction, and apply aesthetic changes when needed.

- AR can also be useful when building component prefabrications.

It is important to remember that augmented reality doesn’t work as a replacement for CAD, Virtual Architect, or other interior design software solutions. These applications and technologies are complementary and they are designed to make the process of visualization easier and better.

How AR helps with interior design, sales, and real estate marketing

Naturally, enhanced drawings and plans bring a lot of benefits to the marketing side of things. AR is especially useful for its marketing properties and interiors that haven’t yet been completed. It represents a realistic visualization of how the project will look like when finished and help potential customers imagine living there.

Additionally, at one point during the development stage, the attention turns from function and form to aesthetically driven aspects of the design. This includes the interior of a certain structure, the feel and looks of it. This is where AR can be also very beneficial to marketers, designers, and architects, but also clients.

No matter if they decided to do it themselves or find professional designers, both commercial property buyers and home buyers can use augmented reality applications to change design elements, experiment with their rooms, and make the necessary adjustments before they commit to anything.

Benefits of AR on the demand side

Apart from the fact that AR can be used directly for marketing properties and interiors, it can also be used to show how a property will look like before it is actually built. Over 30% of property purchases today are made without the buyer even seeing the property with their own eyes.

This means that presentations have become very important, especially when you consider the fact that home walkthroughs are becoming extremely rare, especially when purchasing new property. With AR, not visiting doesn’t mean not seeing the place and potential customers can make a purchasing decision by looking at a digital projection.

This can help buyers make a purchase decision from very far away without having to waste a lot of valuable time and money on traveling. Potential investors or buyers will be able to go through virtual AR projections and move around freely. They get genuine 3D tours in a virtual environment.

Conclusion

Technology has always been one of the most important factors in the world of architecture and design. With AR, customers will have more convenience and more power at their fingertips while companies will be able to bring in more customers due to their improved services.