Using augmented reality and mixed reality to interpret design choices of high-performance buildings

Abstract

Evaluating building performances, such as the indoor daylight, is usually based on numerical simulation and 2D image illustration. It does not take advantage of emerging Augmented Reality (AR) or Mixed Reality (MR) techniques to intuitively aid the building design. The current study probes into the topic bringing building geometry information together with simulation results into AR/MR environments. After introducing some precedent work in the literature, authors recap the typical workflow and report its application on two case studies. The first case study displays the structural simulation of a high-rise building in AR, while the second case study shows the daylight simulation of a two-story house within MR. At last, reflections are conducted and future possibilities are identified. Authors deem that, in the aim of this study, only retrofitting projects are suitable for MR. The present work can help practitioners better understand this new approach, offering the added value of using AR/MR for building design.