Virtual reality is quickly becoming a cost-effective tool and has proven to be effective in improving productivity and efficiency in construction projects. There are a whole host of group VR applications that are being used to bring value to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industries.

There are four key areas in which group VR can support AEC sector:

  • Collaborative working
  • Sharing content
  • Design and review processes
  • Education and explanation

Simplified Collaboration Using Group VR

Group VR is a new collaborative solution for AEC companies that want to bring 3D images to a group of decision-makers and experts, while still being able to interact with each other. Immersive virtual reality environment enables collaboration of architects, engineers and developers to share their vision and to analyse it in depth, by integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) on immersive displays.

Together, visual display hardware, such as Barco’s Canvas projection surface system combined with workflow software such as TechViz provide new opportunities for effective and highly practical group VR based collaboration.

Canvas enables an increasing number of users to experience group VR that fosters collaboration between teams and allows customers to preview and assess buildings or designs before they are built. Multiple groups can experience VR together, and use it interactively, taking advantage of the system’s plug and play capability.

Enhancing 3D visualisation capabilities and giving users the freedom to apply their own content to these scenarios has the potential to take collaborative working in AEC to a whole new level.

Sharing Project Data

In meetings and collaboration sessions, the immersive displays such as Barco’s Canvas acts as a large display surface to share a wealth of information and data.

3D visualisation capabilities of group VR solutions make sharing BIM data accessible, interactive and secure.

When it comes to demonstrating, discussing, or selling concepts, having the means to simply plug-in your laptop, and select your 2 D or 3D models for scaled-up visual presentation is an extremely valuable asset.

Presenting 3D data for sales and marketing purposes or project meetings and the ability to do this in the convenience of a meeting room opens a new era for AEC companies for briefing the stages of project lifecycles, ongoing project development and much more.

Design and Review Processes

By incorporating group VR into design and review processes, architects and other professionals working in the built environment can gain a better understanding of the impact of changes.

The end users can view the entire design virtually, walk around the structure, interact with the features of the building, identify potential problems and tackle challenges earlier on in a project’s development.

This helps avoid mistakes and reduce waste, ultimately bringing in more projects on time and within budget.

Where decision-making has an impact on project timelines, VR can help to shorten and quicken the design and review process by a great deal.

Using VR in design and review processes captures details in exceptional clarity, providing groups involved with exceptional levels of insight and understanding.

Education and Explanation

As a teaching tool in universities specialising in architecture and engineering with Building Information Modelling (BIM) programme, group VR provides the perfect platform for conveying information compellingly, and for stimulating discussion.

Learning about building design and construction materials can become an immersive learning experience, while enabling students to familiarise themselves with modern 3D modelling and presentation techniques.

VR for Architecture, Engineering and Construction

If you would like to discover more about how VR concepts and solutions are transforming the AEC sector, and the enormous potential group VR has as a technological enabler supporting the built environment, feel free to contact the VR team at ST Engineering Antycip (formerly Antycip Simulation).

Join our Tech Talk webinar to learn about virtual reality concepts and solutions for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector.

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