VR solutions are being actively implemented in the construction industry, both abroad and in Russia. Below are examples of VR technologies being used in various aspects of the construction industry.
Examples of VR use in construction abroad
Skanska: This well-known construction company uses VR to ensure and improve worker safety on construction projects. As part of their training, workers are guided through virtual reality models of buildings, where they are shown potential hazards and what to do in emergency situations.
AECOM: This international concern uses virtual technology to design and plan urban spaces. Engineers and architects can create an immersive 3D modelling experience that allows clients to see a project and its environmental impact.
Foster + Partners: a leading architectural organisation uses VR in the design process to improve communication with clients. With VR content, clients can walk through projects as they are being designed, making edits and helping architects better understand their needs.
VR for airport design: At Heathrow Airport, VR technology is being used to develop concepts for new terminals. Using VR-models, architects and planners can detail the airport structure and conduct virtual tours for other stakeholders - management, investors and future users.
Lake Louise Canyon: Architects used VR to create a virtual design experience for a new hotel complex near Lake Louise in Canada. This helped not only to visualise the design, but also to gather public feedback on potential environmental impacts.
Stanford University: Stanford has developed an architectural education programme where students use VR to create and visualise their design ideas. Such technology allows students to ‘walk through’ their projects and better understand the spatial and functional aspects of design.
Lincoln Electric: This firm has created VR simulators to train welders. With VR simulators, new workers can practice welding in a virtual environment, allowing them to develop skills without safety risks or the need for expensive equipment.
United Technologies: The company, which develops technology for the construction and aerospace industries, uses VR for training programmes to help improve the skills of engineers and architects. Professionals can simulate and interact with structures in three dimensions.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): This organisation has conducted training sessions on the use of VR training for its members. Members can learn construction design processes, new technologies and construction management techniques through interactive VR sessions.
AECOM: This international concern uses virtual technology to design and plan urban spaces. Engineers and architects can create an immersive 3D modelling experience that allows clients to see a project and its environmental impact.
Foster + Partners: a leading architectural organisation uses VR in the design process to improve communication with clients. With VR content, clients can walk through projects as they are being designed, making edits and helping architects better understand their needs.
VR for airport design: At Heathrow Airport, VR technology is being used to develop concepts for new terminals. Using VR-models, architects and planners can detail the airport structure and conduct virtual tours for other stakeholders - management, investors and future users.
Lake Louise Canyon: Architects used VR to create a virtual design experience for a new hotel complex near Lake Louise in Canada. This helped not only to visualise the design, but also to gather public feedback on potential environmental impacts.
Stanford University: Stanford has developed an architectural education programme where students use VR to create and visualise their design ideas. Such technology allows students to ‘walk through’ their projects and better understand the spatial and functional aspects of design.
Lincoln Electric: This firm has created VR simulators to train welders. With VR simulators, new workers can practice welding in a virtual environment, allowing them to develop skills without safety risks or the need for expensive equipment.
United Technologies: The company, which develops technology for the construction and aerospace industries, uses VR for training programmes to help improve the skills of engineers and architects. Professionals can simulate and interact with structures in three dimensions.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): This organisation has conducted training sessions on the use of VR training for its members. Members can learn construction design processes, new technologies and construction management techniques through interactive VR sessions.
Examples of VR use in construction in Russia
PIK Group: Russian construction company PIK is introducing VR-technologies for the presentation of new residential complexes. Potential buyers can ‘walk around’ the flats and see different finishing options, which significantly improves the property selection experience.
Russian architectural bureaus, such as Studio 44 and others, are actively using VR to visualise architectural projects. This not only allows them to adapt the project to the client's wishes, but also to identify flaws in the project at an early stage.
Mostotrest Group: They use VR to model transport infrastructure facilities. This enables detailed analyses of how the project will look in the end, as well as the creation of virtual models that can be used for discussions with the authorities and local communities.
Housing and utilities project organisations: Some companies are using VR to shape smart city concepts. By modelling urban infrastructure in virtual reality, they explore different design scenarios and citizen amenities.
Developing residential complexes: The Russian company RTF (Russian Technology Foundation) uses VR to present residential projects. Clients can ‘visit’ flats in virtual reality, allowing them to better understand the layout and design of each flat.
MARHI Institute of Architecture and Design: At this institution, students use VR to design buildings and architectural objects. The learning process includes the creation of virtual models, allowing students to gain practical experience before entering the labour market.
Red Studio: This architectural organisation uses VR to visualise interiors and landscape design. Clients can explore the interiors of their future homes through VR applications, making it much easier to make decisions on colour, texture and finishes.
Through the Smart City project: In some Russian cities, such as Kazan and Moscow, using VR, researchers and urban planners are creating virtual models of potential streets and squares, allowing residents to influence architectural decisions through sociological surveys and voting.
Virtual reality in construction training for workers: A number of Russian companies are using VR to create training programmes on workplace safety. Workers can be trained in a safe environment to survive emergency situations and respond to various incidents.
Universities: Many Russian universities, such as MGSU and SPbGASU, are incorporating VR technology into their educational processes. Students use VR to create architectural models and study construction processes, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of materials and technologies.
Russian architectural bureaus, such as Studio 44 and others, are actively using VR to visualise architectural projects. This not only allows them to adapt the project to the client's wishes, but also to identify flaws in the project at an early stage.
Mostotrest Group: They use VR to model transport infrastructure facilities. This enables detailed analyses of how the project will look in the end, as well as the creation of virtual models that can be used for discussions with the authorities and local communities.
Housing and utilities project organisations: Some companies are using VR to shape smart city concepts. By modelling urban infrastructure in virtual reality, they explore different design scenarios and citizen amenities.
Developing residential complexes: The Russian company RTF (Russian Technology Foundation) uses VR to present residential projects. Clients can ‘visit’ flats in virtual reality, allowing them to better understand the layout and design of each flat.
MARHI Institute of Architecture and Design: At this institution, students use VR to design buildings and architectural objects. The learning process includes the creation of virtual models, allowing students to gain practical experience before entering the labour market.
Red Studio: This architectural organisation uses VR to visualise interiors and landscape design. Clients can explore the interiors of their future homes through VR applications, making it much easier to make decisions on colour, texture and finishes.
Through the Smart City project: In some Russian cities, such as Kazan and Moscow, using VR, researchers and urban planners are creating virtual models of potential streets and squares, allowing residents to influence architectural decisions through sociological surveys and voting.
Virtual reality in construction training for workers: A number of Russian companies are using VR to create training programmes on workplace safety. Workers can be trained in a safe environment to survive emergency situations and respond to various incidents.
Universities: Many Russian universities, such as MGSU and SPbGASU, are incorporating VR technology into their educational processes. Students use VR to create architectural models and study construction processes, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of materials and technologies.
The use of VR-technologies in construction enriches the design process, public discussions, as well as training of specialists. This trend continues to develop and opens up new horizons for more efficient design and interaction between clients and contractors.
Incorporating virtual reality technology into the training of builders and architects opens new horizons in creating immersive and interactive educational experiences. It also helps in reducing training time, improving the quality of training and reducing the risks associated with hands-on training. With each passing year, the number of initiatives to bring VR into the educational process will only increase.
The VR Concept platform is a great tool for use in the construction industry, effectively combining virtual reality technology with educational initiatives. The company not only develops innovative solutions to optimise design and visualisation processes, but also creates specialised courses aimed at training professionals in this field. These courses help new recruits learn modern working methods, enhance their skills and foster a deeper understanding of VR technology in construction. Thus, VR Concept contributes not only to the efficiency of construction processes, but also to the formation of a highly qualified labour pool, which ultimately protects the interests of both companies and their clients.
Incorporating virtual reality technology into the training of builders and architects opens new horizons in creating immersive and interactive educational experiences. It also helps in reducing training time, improving the quality of training and reducing the risks associated with hands-on training. With each passing year, the number of initiatives to bring VR into the educational process will only increase.
The VR Concept platform is a great tool for use in the construction industry, effectively combining virtual reality technology with educational initiatives. The company not only develops innovative solutions to optimise design and visualisation processes, but also creates specialised courses aimed at training professionals in this field. These courses help new recruits learn modern working methods, enhance their skills and foster a deeper understanding of VR technology in construction. Thus, VR Concept contributes not only to the efficiency of construction processes, but also to the formation of a highly qualified labour pool, which ultimately protects the interests of both companies and their clients.