How Architecture May Benefit From Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is the superimposition of information or an image on top of the real world. It’s a fairly new technology, mostly implemented for marketing on mobile devices, but has intense potential in the architectural industry.

An iPad app developed by Inition and Zaha Hadid Architects aids in visualizing wind flow and basic interior views of static architectural 3-dimensional printed models. The app allows an easier presentation of their designs to clients and review. Inition’s augmented 3D printing app can also give a realistic view of the surrounding environment of an architectural project so that effective wayfinding can be designed.

This video presents the practicality of having a true-to-scale digital 3D model. Through proper development of augmented reality, architects will be able to simplify tasks with realistic visualizations and limitations of which their projects are bound to. This kind of experience highlights the practicality of such technology within the architectural process.

Although limited by current technology, augmented reality is another frontier that is simplifying otherwise complex architectural tasks. Through further development, AR can one day become a standard in architecture.