Case Studies
Inition & Zaha Hadid Architects
ARki
VTT Finland
Inition and Zaha Hadid Architects
Image showing an Ipad renders diagrams on top of the real model
As the 3D visual rendering and are now a well-established design tools in architectural design process, the practice of Augmented Reality (AR) technology still not that determined yet. According to co-founder of visualisation studio "Inition" Andy Millns, architects has yet to be endorsing AR technology as a design tool comparing to other sectors. (James Pallister, 2014)
However, one of the exclusion to the fact mentioned is the Zaha Hadid Architects, who associate with Inition to produce an Ipad app that uses AR technology to model building information and diagrams. (James Pallister, 2014)
Inition develops “augmented 3D printing” for architects
As the 3D visual rendering and are now a well-established design tools in architectural design process, the practice of Augmented Reality (AR) technology still not that determined yet. According to co-founder of visualisation studio "Inition" Andy Millns, architects has yet to be endorsing AR technology as a design tool comparing to other sectors. (James Pallister, 2014)
However, one of the exclusion to the fact mentioned is the Zaha Hadid Architects, who associate with Inition to produce an Ipad app that uses AR technology to model building information and diagrams. (James Pallister, 2014)
The iPad application developed by Inition allows architects to look right inside a stationary building model. The application does visualise how the building would look at night by changing the surrounding environment and also track how the wind flows around the design proposal. (Marcus Fairs, 2013)
By projecting the iPad camera towards the physical scaled model, architects can access most information which overlays the physical model in the screen. Andy Millns, the co-founder of Inition also stated that the technology is particularly useful to architects when they are presenting to their clients. (Marcus Fairs, 2013) By combining the high quality 3D render technique and the AR technology, the iPad application can display not only the building model itself, but the environment with trees, moving traffic and also day and night view. In a rather detailed perspective, it also allows architects to locate it in Google Maps and to switching between wind flow data, internal floor plans, wireframe views and information about the project. (Marcus Fairs, 2013)
ARki: Augmented Reality Architectural Visualisation
ARki is an application service for Augmented Reality visualisation of architectural models. By implementing AR technology into architectural visualisation, ARki is capable to render realistic 3D models for design and presentation purposes by creating an immersive rendering technique with interactive layers. (Darf Design, 2015) With any ios/android devices, users can seek through the 3D models and data interactively. By moving the device's camera over the existing 2D floor plans, the application overlays 3D models on the existing floor plans and provides information around the models. (Archinect, 2013)
ARki Showreel from Darf Design on Vimeo.
By taking advantages of Augmented Reality, ARki goes beyond 3D model rendering and pursue to implement variety of interactive modes. For examples, the sun orientation, real-time shadow analysis, structural diagram, space planning and material selection. By incorporating this immersive function, the users could truly understand every detail of the proposed projects with the functions provided. (Darf Design, 2015) Besides, the application also allows users to record and capture the visualisation and share their files via social media directly from the application itself. (Darf Design, 2015)
ARki: Augmented Reality Architectural Visualisation from Darf Design
Mobile AR Visualization of Jätkäsaari/Kämp Tower Plans in Helsinki City.
Mobile AR visualization being introduce to local residents to evaluate the effect of new construction plans to their living environments
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed mobile Augmented Reality solutions (MAR) which is implemented on Nokia phones and Windows tablets, was used for visualization of building plans in real use cases. The Mobile AR solutions marks the first time in the world by applying for real decision making in land use planning in Kämp Tower plans in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki and hotel plans in Billnäs iron works site at Raseborg. By using MAR solutions in situ, the city officers could evaluate and make decision towards the proposed project with more understanding about the project. (Charles Woodward, 2014) Besides, the MAR solutions also being used by local resident in a proposed wind generator farm in Pörtom, Närpes 2013 to evaluate the impact of the construction plans towards their living environment. (Charles Woodward, 2014)By using the technology, the locals can truly understand the project which would potentially affect their living environment. Hence, the developer could make amendment according to the locals' opinion.