Real estate businesses are increasingly using virtual reality (VR) to let their prospective customers gain a deeper understanding of their existing and upcoming projects, thereby enabling them to make an informed purchase decision. Architects have been integrating VR to make their presentations livelier and to enable the design and the construction teams to develop a thorough understanding of their projects. Customers can also enjoy a virtual walkthrough of a home that they are looking to buy while being able to choose the time and space for property-viewing. In fact, this would allow realtors as well to save time, which they would otherwise spend on fixing appointments, scheduling in-person visits, and attending the actual site in order to showcase properties. VR is being clubbed with augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), allowing for extraordinary visualization and letting all project stakeholders to understand the interior and exterior layout of a building before the actual building is constructed. Additionally, VR allows prospective homebuyers to not only get an idea about how a building’s interior or exterior layout would look like, but it would also give them a real feel of the property.

benefits of virtual reality technology in architecture

VR, which was originally used in the gaming industry, has now earned a mainstream position in architecture as well, allowing architects to present their design possibilities in a vivid and lively manner. Architects and real estate businesses that are looking to explore VR in order to make their demonstrations are most likely to be benefitted by the following factors:

  • Low Cost VR headsets

    While the introduction of VR headsets happened way back in 1968, the real advancements in VR are being witnessed in recent times. The dynamic growth of VR is complemented well by the advancements in mobile technologies, which have allowed the delivery of high-resolution graphics to the intended audience. We have not witnessed the introduction of head-mounted displays such as Microsoft HoloLens, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Google Cardboard. This has made the technology more affordable and made it a more mainstream feature in people’s lives. It requires a little less than $8000 for a VR setup, which architects, who are beginners, can easily afford to spend.

  • Competitive Advantage 

    The use of VR gives a competitive edge to an architect. VR produces immersive experiences that create a strong impact on the minds of the target audience, thereby compelling them to make a positive decision. Architects who use mesmerizing presentations stand a better chance to win over customers compared to architects who fail to leverage this modern technology. Customers who get to look at a life-like virtual walkthrough are mostly likely to imagine a property as their future home, which would increase the probability of sales.

  • Less Revisions

    By using virtual reality, architects can minimize the possibilities for revisions. They can even perform real-time modifications as per their clients’ feedback and sell their ideas instantly. They can even revise the designs after thorough analysis. For example, they can easily change the floor plans or they may revise other details such as lighting, color, and furniture in order to suit the specific needs and budgets of individual customers.

  • Replication

    Architects can create an exact replica of real-world scenarios that real people can interact with. By using VR, architects can determine the safety and efficacy of their designs and understand if there is any scope for improvement. Architects can understand how an individual will walk through a property and can design the interior layout in the most appropriate manner.

  • Use in various stages

    Architects can use VR to understand massing and spatial relationships. The video can include realistic effects, allowing real-life experiences to be viewed by prospective homebuyers. With deeper spatial sense, project stakeholders would feel more confident about the design, and this will reduce the time that would be otherwise spent in recurrent meetings. This will also minimize the possibilities of revisions. VR solutions that are a combination of headsets and smartphones are being increasingly used in modern times. 360-degree images can be directly rendered by using BIM software or a visualization program.

VR demands considerable technological expertise and architects often find it difficult to explore this technology thoroughly due to their busy schedules. Typically, gaming engines are used to create immersive experiences, but time is changing. VR solutions that are specifically meant to benefit the architecture industry are being developed nowadays. In fact, many companies are already converting BIM data into VR using Stingray, Autodesk LIVE, and other platforms. However, at present, gaming systems can be used to only create VR experiences for end-users, but they cannot be used to produce applications that would support an iterative building design process. The VR marketplace will continue to witness a huge transformation with more and more architects getting involved to experiment with VR solutions. Experts suggest that it is a good idea to review designs from BIM software by using a PC that comes integrated with VR solutions. The distribution of VR content to clients can be conducted by using mobile VR solutions such as Google’s View and Gear VR.

Are you an architect or a realtor who is looking for virtual reality architectural visualization support? We, at PGBS, employ a team of 3D modelers who abide by all VR design guidelines. From performing virtual reality sculpting to creating 3D furniture models to developing top-quality 3D models for virtual reality, our 3D modeling experts can deliver world-class virtual reality architectural visualization support while working on the best combination of 3D animation, 3D modeling, and VR. If you have a project to discuss about, contact us today. Our professionals are always ready to deliver world-class 3d design solutions, thereby helping you to meet your goals.

Christa Elrod linkedinDribbbleBehance

Christa Elrod serves as a senior graphic designer at ProGlobalBusinessSolutions. She is a creative designer with robust skills in typography, UI/UX designs, printing designs, video post-production, and 3D designs. Possessing years of experience across diverse industries, Christa loves to educate fellow designers with her experience and domain knowledge.