Virtual reality to support the integrated design process: A retrofit case study

Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have been used in building design and construction for many years. VR has primarily been applied for design review, worker and end-user training, 3D coordination, marketing, and demonstration. Previous research shows that VR technologies, such as interactive virtual walkthroughs, help the design team effectively convey design ideas, aid in the evaluation of architectural alternatives, and assist in the identification of design errors. Despite the benefits, VR has not yet been widely adopted in actual design practice. This paper examines the use of a VR media and display system in the design process of an energy retrofit project and identifies the benefits and challenges of using VR technologies for the project. The project team had access to an immersive display system throughout the design process. A research team supported the design team with the development of virtual reality solutions. The research team also documented and evaluated the uses of the immersive display system through surveys and case study analysis techniques. The case study shows that using VR tools and an immersive display system makes the design meetings more productive and the reviews more effective, provided the VR models are developed with appropriate level of detail and functionalities. The industry still lacks a general understanding of the benefit and use cases of VR technology. In addition, the lack of expertise in VR tools and VR display systems also impedes the wider adoption of the VR technologies in the current practice.