Information and pictures courtesy of: nbbj Nbbj architects are making strides in the integration of new technologies with design processes, and one of their current projects involves the use of virtual reality to facilitate effective and inclusive communication and decision-making… A groundbreaking virtual reality (vr) productivity platform is going to be incubated and developed by the global architectural and design firm nbbj, which has recently made an announcement on a new business partnership with the start-up company visual vocal. The new technology will provide project stakeholders who are geographically dispersed the ability to immerse themselves in places that have not yet been developed and offer quick input to help guide a collaborative design process. At the moment, the design of buildings is done by dispersed teams utilizing 3d modeling software. However, when it comes time to share those concepts with customers, conventional channels of communication such as email can result in lengthy and inconclusive rounds of feedback. The innovative tool has the potential to alter processes inside the architectural industry and beyond as a result of its integration of virtual reality with mobile and cloud-based communications systems. “The choice that nbbj made to develop visual voice is emblematic of our continuous aim to create methods to involve customers in the design process that are both more informative and more motivating. Because of this relationship, the process by which design input is gathered and incorporated into projects, as well as the speed at which this can be done, will undergo a profound transformation. Because of this, we are able to include a wider variety of project stakeholders on a deeper level than we ever could have imagined in the past. “Virtual reality will deepen design discourse and bring communities together in new and interesting ways,” enlightens nbbj managing partner steve mcconnell, faia of nbbj. “Whether for clients or the general public, virtual reality will deepen design discourse.” Nbbj and visual vocal will use current-generation virtual reality (vr) and augmented reality (ar) technologies, with a concentration on mobile virtual reality platforms in the near future for best accessibility and scalability. This partnership marks the first instance of an established design firm incubating a virtual reality start-up inside its own offices and developing new tools to improve decision-making and eliminate waste from the design process. While a number of firms in the design industry have investigated the potential of virtual reality (VR), this partnership is the first of its kind. Beyond the realm of architecture, the framework has the potential to one day enable immersive discussions in other sectors such as aerospace, product design, and biotech, all of which make extensive use of 3d models. This effort is a part of the continuing investment and development of digital technologies that the nbbj is doing. In the latter part of 2016, nbbj will have the unique right to deploy the beta version of visual vocal’s platform. In addition, nbbj will pilot the visual vocal software on design projects for customers in the healthcare, corporate, and urban planning industries. nbbj is able to develop higher-performing buildings that encourage human connection and productivity by using both already available and developing technology to the specific requirements and obstacles posed by its customers. In the end, the tool will be made accessible to a wider variety of professionals working in the construction, engineering, and architectural fields. To see the photographs on indiaartndesign.com, please click here.
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