Architectural visualisation

Virtual Reality offers the possibility to walk in and around a building, before it has even been built. Unlike 2D drawings or CAD models on a small computer screen, VR technology gives users a realistic impression of the actual dimensions of the building. Thus, VR supports the decision-making process and enables users to discover possible design problems in an early stage.

The HPC&V Theatre is suitable for interactive sessions with up to approx. 20 people, discussing the exterior and/or interior design of the building. If desired, the seats can be re-arranged into a meeting setup, to facilitate communication between the session participants.

(all pictures are thumbnails for bigger versions)

Exterior design

What does the outside of the building look like? How does it fit into its environment, can it be seen from a distance, will the company logo be readable from the highway? What is the influence of trees and foliage on the perception of safety on the parking lot? Issues like these can be investigated using an interactive 3D model of the building and its direct environment, based on the CAD drawings of the building, aerial photographs, and 3D models of existing or planned surrounding buildings. Different alternatives can easily be compared, for example different colors or materials for the building, or even alternative designs of the building. Additional possibilities include animated LED signs, differently sized trees, etcetera.

Interior design with Virtual Office Designer

Using the CAD model of the empty building, and 3D models of furniture, our software package Virtual Office Designer facilitates interactive interior design. Interior walls, desks, chairs, and other furniture can be used as ‘building blocks’ to fill in a floor or even the entire building. These objects can be moved around, rotated, removed and even resized at the click of a button. Thus, it is easy to compare the consequences of different setups, e.g. small vs. large rooms, high vs. low closets, desks grouped per 6 or in smaller groups, walls made of glass, wood or another material, another color for the carpet, etc.

It is possible to view the 3D model from any desired position. When working on one particular floor, the ‘bird’s eye view’ allows for easy overview, while the floor-level view gives an accurate spatial impression of the interior.

How to work with Virtual Office Designer is demonstrated with Windows Media Player (small 5Mb , medium 38 Mb).