While we can't count all the benefits technology has brought in the 21st century, we know very well how much it has affected the architecture.

The latest software solutions and apps can facilitate all the processes of planning and designing, modern tools are here to automate numerous tasks at the construction site, but there are also lots of useful gadgets.

Our comprehensive knowledge about the traditional materials, methods of fabrication, our designing skills, as well as the ability to create buildings that defy physics thanks to the advanced elements of the supporting structure, in combination with tech-driven tools, give this industry endless potential.

Nevertheless, one smart trick, earlier known only from Sci-Fi movies, is ready to change the world of architecture as we know it – virtual reality.

With that in mind, here are ideas that will help you improve your business, but also to facilitate some processes of your work and allow you to achieve the best end products – visualizations.

3D Visualization in Real Time

As we mentioned before, the VR equipment isn't very useful without the latest software solutions. Luckily, the state-of-the-art 3D modeling and rendering programs are now compatible with virtual reality.

Using your favorite VR headset, you can jump into the virtual world and create 3D models that will be manifested in real time. Such interactivity is already extremely helpful, but VR can do more.

Besides walking through your 3D model, you can edit scenes, modify all elements of your model, and even step into your building in real-time. In such a case, virtual reality enables you to see the entire situation better, from all angles, and fix all issues before the process of rendering begins.

Software

The commonly used software solutions among architects such as Autodesk's 3ds Max and Revit are compatible with the affordable VR equipment such as HTC Vive Headset or Oculus Rift. Moreover, there are various augmented reality and mixed reality apps that are also incredibly helpful.

Interaction with your 3D model will bring you lots of fun, but more importantly, you'll be able to create more precise buildings in record time.

VR Equipment as a Tool That Can Improve the Communication between Architects and Their Clients

Well, it's known that a picture is worth a thousand words, which further means that visualization, actually, is the best way of communication between architects and their clients. Moreover, a picture knows nothing about the language or distance barriers, which makes the visualization the common language among all nations.

With that in mind, we can freely say that architectural visualization is the most crucial requirement for advanced cooperation. So, when it comes to engaging with your clients, VR kicks in!

The visualization is the most powerful tool for selling your idea to a client, but the visualization in virtual reality can bring you even more advantages. Even if your clients are miles away, you can present them your entire project simpler than ever.

Virtual Reality Tours

VR tours can include all the parts of your design, starting from the environment, exterior design, to the interior of your building, to the closest details.

However, you can present all of that without VR if you create an animation, but VR wins again – thanks to the virtual reality, you can present your design to your client in real-time, including the presentation straight from the construction site.

Virtual reality gives your clients and investors the opportunity to interact with your design and give you suggestions to fix some issues or change the tiniest details.

Examples of Successful Application

‘’Virtual Reality experiences have helped our clients better understand their projects before construction. There have been many occasions when we’ve been approached to create a visualization experience for projects in the later stages of design development.

Experiencing the immersive environments has prompted designers to further refine the design to fully celebrate their vision. Communicating ideas using VR has also given end users of the building the possibility to be more involved in the design process, ‘’ said Ekke Piirisild, Director of VRtisan, when he tried to explain how VR can help him cooperate with his clients in the design process.

Piirisild also noticed that solving the problems and mistakes before the beginning of construction works is a benefit that increases the end clients' confidence that the final design will suit their requirements.

Your goal should be to satisfy your clients' needs and to improve customer experience, and VR will make it possible!

Virtual Reality Can Make Your Visions Tangible

Similar to the application when it comes to engaging with clients, VR can help you to feel the virtual space. Besides construction logistics, VR also allows you to increase the aesthetics of a project.

A hyper-realistic visualization in the virtual reality will help you to actually see the real appearance of your design before the foundation has even been set. You can change the materials, move or resize windows, add additional artificial lighting, and manage your entire project in real-time.

The use of VR in architecture also cuts costs. Firstly, time is money, but also, all the changes, especially if we're talking about the improvement of the bearing elements of your construction and the aesthetics, will save you lots of money.

Create a VR Environment

Today, when the level of ecological conscience is increasing, it's important to anticipate how the environment, as well as atmospheric influences, will affect your building. Very often, you can use such influences to your advantage.

Thanks to virtual reality, you can include some environmental factors in your project and check the levels of heat, sunlight, rainfall, and other factors, and find environmentally efficient ways to increase the performances of your building.

On the other hand, you can test the safety elements of your building, or simply check the best ways to fit your building into a specific landscape.

VR Allows You to Learn and Explore the Architecture Across the World

Each architect in the world can confirm that architectural history can be very helpful during the process of developing an idea. Besides, knowing the secrets of the greatest modern architecture creators is also very useful.

However, traveling the world in 80 days isn't always the solution, but using the latest technology, your journey across the world can start within a few seconds.

Using VR equipment, buildings from the other side of the planet can become tangible. Influences from traditional architecture, as well as from modern practices, can help you learn a lot, and you can find your own style if you try to combine different elements from various cultures. Moreover, you'll be able to learn a lot from your own buildings.

What else are you waiting for? Get your own VR headset and enjoy!

The bottom line

Rob Kendal, Managing Director of Yulio explained what he would add to the current VR world if he could add only one feature, ‘’ Easier content creation, ‘’ he said, and then he added ‘’While there’s been a ton of hype around VR, it hasn’t actually hit the mainstream, partly due to lack of content. So far the cost to create VR content has been prohibitive for many companies, but that’s changing.’’ Kendal also added that 360-cameras are more affordable today.

‘’We’ll also start to see software like Yulio making it easier to convert 3D models into VR experience more widely adopted and we’ll also start to see the creation of those 3D models themselves become more accessible.’’

Well, there's something we can agree on. On the other hand, new technology is always so complex to use at the beginning.

About forty years ago, when the very first rendering software appeared, it was the cutting edge technology open only to several people, and completely strange and difficult to learn. However, today, millions of architects, 3D artists, and designers use even more advanced software solutions on a daily basis.

Our first step should be accepting the state-of-the-art technology, and it will become simpler over time.

What do you think? How is virtual reality altering the future of architecture? Let us know in the comments!