5 key benefits from augmented reality for the construction industry

Written by LetsBuild

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Augmented reality is unlike virtual reality that can only replace the real world through a simulated environment. Instead, it creates and enhances exact replicas of the real world for a better view of the entire project through virtual reality models. AR benefits local service providers, businesses, engineering, design, architecture, project management – and the entire construction team. For example, experienced air conditioning companies, to work on the HVAC system of the building can take advantage of these virtual reality models for efficient execution of the plan before installation takes place.

For a better look at this matter, let’s discuss more how augmented reality can affect the entire construction industry.

1. The accuracy of construction projects

Accuracy is always important in any project to avoid wasting money and time due to any adjustments later. Before the project is executed, AR provides teams with a walkthrough of the entire project – including its details and exact measurements.

Architects, project managers, and engineers get sufficient data that ensures both accuracy and speed as well. AR also gives them the chance to navigate each project phase and to see any errors before they surface later.

2. Save money and time

Augmented reality benefits even the best air conditioning companies with years of experience in construction.  They take advantage of AR in implementing their projects. It renders the exact replica of each aspect of the AC system for the entire building or construction project.

Augmented reality can also display architecture models and allow for easy 3D model modification on the building interior, but it can keep the exterior design intact. So with that,  an expert can also easily remove or move walls or change the design using only a few taps.

Read more: Robotics in construction

Clients also have the chance of creating custom commercial and residential buildings to the smallest detail, saving them time and money in the process.

Also, augmented reality can eliminate the need for creating new architecture plans, which are expensive and time-consuming, to fit client requirements. Thus, you can save money with the cost-efficient manner of replacing or modifying architecture plans using 3D models in every project planning aspect before the construction begins.

3. Construction project management

Again, real-time visualizations through AR take the guesswork out of the picture because designers and architects, among other team members, do not need to rely on manually recorded measurements or drawings anymore.

Augmented reality can display accurate images with the entire space’s recreation. And with that, planning becomes more efficient and saves the time and effort of the team because they do not need to build different design plans but just view their options through augmented reality. Project members, thus, can ensure greater accuracy with virtual models.

Effective collaboration, including communicating ideas and creativity in the form of design, is also made easy!  Architects and designers can present their creative ideas or turn client visions into models with AR.

4. Design analysis for designers and architects

It is another department where AR proves advantageous and something that clients must not overlook. Using AR, architects and project designers can accurately analyze the design because they can walk through the proposed project, catch any design flaws and make any adjustments in just a few taps.

augmented reality in construction
Source: Bdcnetwork.com

Plus, they can pick any design and structural features they want to change or add. It eliminates any guesswork that used to be the problem in the past when this type of inspection is only done after the building’s construction when a single mistake could cost a huge amount of money.

Real world visualization also lets architects provide a better insight into the design and details of a specific project to the contractors and owners versus what’s available with scale models, 2D drawing, and BIM.

5. Actual construction of a building

Augmented reality accelerates construction processes because team members can have quick and instant access to virtual models.

Also, construction companies can benefit from prefabricated components or parts – or have them built before the construction begins. With that smooth and streamlined process in the project execution, teams do not just save money, but also time.  Nevertheless, AR can speed up a project’s progress and opens the potential for finishing the construction ahead of time.

Final thoughts

Augmented reality is one of the best technological advancements to happen in the construction industry because it streamlines every process involved in the project.  It helps the pros, such as air conditioning companies, in implementing the HVAC plan – without room for errors or guesswork. They can execute the air conditioning system plan for the entire building efficiently.  So needless to say, AR offers key benefits to the construction industry – saves time and money, gives better design insights, eliminates the guesswork, and accelerates the construction progress.

About the author: Armondo Mollindeo is co-founder and CEO at eliteheatingandac.com