Commercial Architecture October 2017 - 8

DEPARTMENT

the architects

VR Delivers
New Level of
Design
Including virtual reality in the design
process speeds decision making and
enhances collaboration. But use
caution when involving the client.

ess than a year ago our design firm acquired a vir-

Above. When architects are collaborating or demonstrating to a client, the person wearing the VR goggles experiences a near-realistic
"tour" of a space, such as this office design.
Right. Svigals + Partners gave up full use of a valuable conference
room to add a virtual-reality system which became the "tool we never
knew we always needed."

tual-reality (VR) technology system, which took
residence in one of our studio's precious few con-

ect, and a linear wood element was the cause of some

ference rooms. While this means it's now more difficult

discussion. Should it be full height, or partial height?

like without that element. The potential downside is in

to use the room for meetings, the space has arguably be-

Instead of arguing for hours, we uploaded the Revit

the expectations that the client may have after a virtual

come more valuable. VR has quickly become a vital part

model into the VR system and looked directly at the ele-

tour. Once they have seen something they like, they will

of our design process.

ment in question, walked around it, and got to see what

be unhappy if it's not delivered.

Our system employs a superfast CPU for real-time

each configuration would look like. Once we'd "seen" it,

There are some other critical considerations for using

3D rendering, a pair of handheld controllers, and a state-

we knew immediately which solution would work best.

VR in practice. Should we start building VR into all of

of-the-art headset with VR goggles. It can be difficult to

Similarly, we can apply a range of finish, material, and

our proposals as a standard deliverable? Also, actually

describe VR's immersive experience, especially if you've

furniture selections to a model, walk into the project vir-

using the goggles and controllers involves a significant

never experienced it. The user wears the goggles and holds

tually, and decide which selections are best.

learning curve-not to mention nausea, for some-making

the controllers while walking around and visually experi-

We were also thrilled to learn the VR can show us

it less than 100% viable. As amazing as the technology is,

encing a fully rendered virtual space larger than our con-

what the project will look like at different times of day,

our designers and especially our clients have to be able to

ference room, using the controllers for certain commands

by programming site position, orientation, and photo-

safely and comfortably move through the virtual space

including "jumping" distances greater than a few feet.

metrics, e.g., diffuse vs. direct light, helping us to specify

before it can fulfill its promise. But our hopes are high,

The tech junkies among us dove into the system and

lighting systems and finishes. One lighting manufactur-

and we see plenty of opportunity on the horizon for its

quickly learned everything it was capable of, then gave

er's reps asked to view some of our VR models. They have

application. CA

the rest a crash course. Since then, we've focused on how

taken what they learned back to their digital and market-

it could be used as a design tool. As it turns out, it's the

ing teams to improve their library of BIM components

tool we never knew we always needed. The application

and object families.

generates virtual built space from 3D Revit models-we've
been creating these models for years, but now we can walk

VR FOR CLIENT ENGAGEMENT

through them and see them from "inside" instead of on

There are two main reasons to use VR with clients: to ob-

a flat-screen monitor. This has produced immediate, tan-

tain feedback and/or to get them to opt into a design idea.

gible benefits.

Both are tricky, and our team is learning to take care in
our approach. For instance, we may want feedback from

VR AND IN-HOUSE DESIGN

the client, but the danger in showing them a design fully

Part of our firm's stated mission is creating "produc-

rendered in 3D virtual space is that they may interpret the

tive playgrounds," our term for open environments

demonstration as an indication that our work is complet-

that inspire creative collaboration. Introducing VR to

ed, or that all decisions have already been made.

Lynn Brotman, NCIDQ, IIDA, is associate principal and head of
the interiors group at Svigals+Partners, an integrated architecture,
art, and interior design provider located in New Haven, CT. Katherine Berger, NCIDQ, is an interior designer at Svigals+Partners.

Interview With
Lynn Brotman and
Katherine Berger

our process has reinforced collaboration and stream-

As for opt-in, VR gives us a tool for sharing complicat-

lined communication among our designers, making

ed design proposals in an easily understood way. We can

process and how to effectively involve clients in our

the conference room a productive playground. For

also demonstrate value engineering, showing them why

interview with Lynn Brotman and Katherine Berger at

example, we were recently considering how to design

we think they will want to invest in a big-budget design

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/architects.

an interior atrium space for a higher-education proj-

idea-and then showing them what the project will look

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

OCTOBER 2017

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

Learn more about using virtual reality in the design

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture October 2017