VIRTUACTIVE
SMALL business DAVID LAKIN, CO-FOUNDER, VIRTUACTIVE
Interactive Home Design
VIRTUACTIVE BRINGS FLOORPLANS TO LIFE IN 3D Some people are visual learners. Homeowners and business owners may have the opportunity to look at blueprints, but translating the flat lines of a drawing into reality may be difficult for some. VirtuActive is a 3D drafting and design company with multiple locations and has answered the challenge by offering 3D representations of homes and businesses. Co-founder David Lakin points out the benefits. “3D almost works as a translator,” he said. “People can actually understand it. They don’t know how high the ceilings are or where the windows really are, how the room is laid out. I can partake and communicate more in a world in which I can visualize and understand.” Lakin said it’s like flipping through camera views. “They are able to use that during the design of a plan,” he said. “We can have them virtually walk through their house and can make live changes. What you’re seeing happen is they may not notice the line of sight when it’s being built, that’s when they can visualize it.” He said they either must compromise or do change orders. “Doing this during the design phase leads to a better client/designer relationship and it saves a lot of money,” he said. “I’ve had multiple new
construction loan officers say that when they have clients that design in 3D rather than not, they’re saving up to 50% in reduction of change orders.” Lakin said it saves time, money and client experience. They have done multiple remodels and designed hundreds of homes a year. There are misconceptions in Lakin’s business. “One thing we have struggled with is because if you look at our advertising the fun stuff to look at is 3D, people don’t understand we do the construction documents and floorplans,” he said. “It happens simultaneously. That applies in the residential world. Residents, we do everything.” He said they might do some light commercial or just a 3D drawing for commercial, conceptual plans.
Growing interest Lakin said there has been a lot of growth in the company since it began. The company has moved twice in two years, with a 50% square footage increase. He anticipates 30 to 40 people will be employed by the end of the year. “We have been putting a lot of infrastructure in place and systems in
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