by Brianna Crandall — November 17, 2017 — High-performance prefabricated interior construction manufacturer DIRTT just launched a virtual reality (VR) app that turns the design phase of a construction project into a portable and multi-user experience. Real-time design changes are supported with updated visuals, data and pricing. Called ICEreality, it is compatible on iPhones running Apple’s iOS11 — no VR headsets required.
The ICEreality app allows users to virtually explore every aspect of an interior construction project together — without the goggles.
ICEreality is built on DIRTT’s ICE software, a building information modeling (BIM) tool that captures material, pricing, engineering, manufacturing and installation information for every aspect of an interior construction project. The ICEreality app takes that functionality and blends it into a social, mobile and immersive virtual reality world that mirrors the ICE design file.
Barrie Loberg, DIRTT co-founder and chief technology officer, stated:
ICEreality is the first time ICE VR has been a shared experience available to people in the palm of their hand. This app embodies an essential human element that’s oftentimes missing in traditional virtual reality — the shared social experience of exploring a space. ICEreality turns the design phase of a construction project into an incredibly powerful, useful, and now portable, social experience.
When linked with an ICE software design file, an iPhone running ICEreality becomes a VR viewer into the connected file. Multiple users check out their space in VR as avatars at the same time from their own mobile devices. Effectively, they walk through their construction project together before it is built.
The collaborative experience inspires conversations and allows people to easily see, modify and evaluate their environment. Changes to the design can be made on the spot within ICE itself as the user explores the VR version of the space. Simultaneously, those changes alter the VR world to match visually and with all backend data including pricing.
ICEreality is available on the App Store and is compatible with iPhone 6s or newer, running iOS11. Users without a connection to DIRTT’s ICE software can explore the app’s pre-loaded DIRTT timber frame demo file. An introductory video is available on YouTube. For the full experience with ICE software, contact your local DIRTT team and try it in person.
DIRTT Environmental Solutions (Doing it Right This Time) uses its proprietary 3D software to design, manufacture and install fully customized prefabricated interiors. The company’s customers in the corporate, government, education and healthcare sectors benefit from DIRTT’s precise design and costing; rapid lead times with the highest levels of customization and flexibility; and faster, cleaner construction.
