Virtual reality and its application in the construction sector

Digitalisation, a key factor for the construction sector

Traditionally, construction activity has been subject to various changes that have forced professionals to adapt, time and time again, to the needs of the moment. Changes in regulations, new materials, architectural and interior design trends and new tools or infrastructures to carry out projects in this field have been a challenge for SMEs and freelancers dedicated to construction.

But how does digital transformation affect them? As well as making it possible, for example, to automate certain management tasks and disseminate their work online, digitalisation is the key that opens the door to approaching more clients and offering them a better experience. And, with technologies such as virtual reality, SMEs and freelancers in the sector have the opportunity to better understand what their customers need and to improve the quality of their work.

We'll tell you all about it!

Virtual reality focused on improving customer experience

Before learning how virtual reality can benefit a construction business, it is important to understand what it is.

Virtual reality is defined as a digital representation that simulates a real environment. In other words, it allows people to visualise a specific place through a fictional interpretation of space. Doesn't that sound good?

In the construction sector, this technology offers clear advantages for SMEs and freelancers to share their work in a more complete way:

1. It allows them to visualise their projects in an immersive way.

2. It improves communication and understanding between the work team and the clients.

3. It reduces errors and increases the possibilities of ensuring that clients' expectations are met.

4. It helps with project planning.

5. It offers a competitive advantage as those who adopt it differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Digitalisation is the key that opens the door to offering a better customer experience with technologies such as virtual reality.

Learn how to create your virtual tour

Are you ready to dive into the world of virtual reality and show your clients what the result of a project would look like? If so, here are the steps you need to follow to implement this technology:

1. Identify the space you are going to represent: select the places you are going to share with your team or your clients through a virtual tour. This will allow you to detect from which angles you can offer a better view in your representation.

2. Take 360º photographs: capture panoramic images of the entire space where the project is going to be carried out in order to create your virtual tour. You can use your smartphone camera if it has this function; cameras specialised in 360º photography; an app such as Panorama 360 & Virtual Tour, HD Panorama Camera 360 or DMD Panorama; it is also possible to hire a professional photographer to do this job.

3. Choose a specialised software: choose the software you are going to use to join your 360º images and create the virtual tour. You can use programmes such as Pano2VR, TourBuilder, GoThru Moderator, Tourmake Viewmake or Metareal Stage.

4. Add all the constructive and design details according to the client's requests and your professional experience: in this way, the space can be visualised in a way that is very close to how it will be after the construction project is completed.

Remember that, once you have created your virtual tour, you can publish it on your social media or website so that your current and future customers know that you have this technology and it arouses their interest. It is also important that you test your tools on a regular basis to detect possible errors or areas for improvement so that you can implement the necessary changes.

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