NOVEMBER
2019
LAURUS
LAURUS PERSPECTIVE: THE ROLE OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY www.laurusprojects.com.au
NOVEMBER 2019
THE ROLE OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY VIRTUAL REALITY IS GOING TO CHANGE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. LAURUS, IN THIS ARTICLE, TAKES A LOOK AT HOW.
Virtual reality is no longer the domain of video
a building before the slab is poured.
games. It has the potential to change the construction industry; it has the potential to
So, with the continuous growth of virtual
allow involved parties (builders, architects,
reality, what benefits and changes could we
clients and more) the opportunity to walk into
be looking at in the coming years?
NOVEMBER 2019
Cost Efficiency
site can stream a 360-degree real time video giving a site tour to those who need to monitor
Once you’ve gotten into the construction phase
the progress of the build.
of a building, any changes or alterations that need to be made can be both costly and time
Training for Construction Workers
consuming. Discussions about whether the work
can
be
changed,
or
whether
the
Training workers on heavy-equipment, or site-
requirements will work with the current design
specific equipment can be expensive. Imagine
push back build times. Virtual reality allows any
giving your staff all the time they need to learn
party that is involved in the building process to
how to use dangerous equipment with no risks.
spot potential issues in the design phase, giving
With VR there is also no need to hire the
the design team a chance to change, modify or
equipment prior to construction – all training is
redesign a section of the building.
done virtually.
Meeting Client Expectations
Currently virtual reality is really starting to take hold in the beginning of the construction
Clients have an idea in their mind of what they
project
where
designers
are
using
the
want their property to be. Some are great at
technology to help clients and potential clients
explaining what exactly they want, whereas
see how the project will come together. By
others have some great ideas, but they can’t get
utilising 3D models, combined with the virtual
them out onto paper. Virtual reality provides
reality technology, clients can take a tour of the
the opportunity to stop those “it doesn’t look
space, working out whether there is enough
like I imagine/expected” conversations. Clients
room for what they need, deciding on paint
can access the “property”, explore every corner,
colours and layout.
confirm everything matches their expectations and needs, and then provide feedback to the
With the ability to save money and speed up
design
parts of the construction project, there is huge
team.
Miscommunication
becomes
almost impossible when utilising virtual reality.
potential in virtual reality in the construction industry going forward.
Providing Remote Virtual Site Visits On large projects, it can be hard to get the relevant people out to visit the site as frequently as contractors need them to. When VR is combined with a 3D camera, a contractor on