the potential of

3d VR/AR
Ruben Hanssen - 4253930
MSc 3 Urbanism
rhfhanssen@gmail.com

Using virtual / augmented

reality as a design method

Virtual Reality

VR

World is simulated
Everything is virtual

Oculus Rift

HTC Vive

Augmented Reality

AR

World is 'real'
Only extra layer is virtual

Microsoft Hololens

VR & AR - Why is it so interesting?

VR offers an immersive and intuitive 3D

environment, which is very versatile - especially
for spatial issues

AR makes it possible to add all kinds of

information to our physical world

For Urbanism, it means potentially a better grip on

complexity

VR / AR - A short background

Technologies until 2012

CAVE: worked well, but takes much space

Head Mounted Displays (HMDs): big, heavy, low

quality, slow graphics (lag')

CAVE system'

Old HMDs

Current technologies
Oculus Rift

Introduction of Oculus Rift

changed the playing field

Current technology is (mostly)

ready for the masses

Rapid development of VR and

AR

Phase of exploration of
possible uses

HTC Vive

Microsoft
Hololens

VR/AR in architecture &

urbanism

Mostly used for visualising architecture

Communication tool

VR / AR in architecture &
urbanism - potential!!

Design tool (eye level, immersive)

Viewing GIS & environmental data in 3D

Direct design analysis & evaluation

Environmental psychology, design & cognition

Real-time collaborative designing (communication

AND co-operation)

Augmented Reality: On location data & model viewing

My thesis project

URGENCY / PROBLEM STATEMENT: we must stop

thinking in 2D, which is limiting the potential of our
designs, and find more intuitive ways to design
cities (& landscape)

GOAL: research the usefulness of VR / AR in the

urbanism profession, by creating & testing a VR
design tool (& AR viewing tool) in a design situation

POTENTIAL: a step towards a new design

methodology

My thesis project, questions

Literature: what is the place of VR & AR in current

(urbanism) theory?

VR tool: (how) does it work / look like in practice?

VR tool: is it useful in our profession? Advantage

over old-school methods? Does it deliver better
designs?

Challenge: how to measure its usefulness?

Case study:
Infrastructure node

Why a case study?

In order to evaluate the design
methodology in the field, compare VR/
AR method to traditional design methods
Why an infrastructure node?

Challenging because of height

differences & complexity

Interesting as design locations for high

density developments with high quality
standards

Immersion & use of 3D models

probably useful in this situation

Suitable locations

Amsterdam Sloterdijk

Delft Zuid

Possible workflow
1. Getting 3D data from internet / database & converting
for VR/AR
2. Edit model with VR/AR glasses & hand gestures / VR
controllers
3. Stakeholders can directly view the changes with their
own headset
4. Repeat step 2 and 3 until design is ready
5. When design is ready, convert technical drawings, etc.

Changing processes

Designing in VR
Selection of asset to add

Designing in VR
Placing a tree, easy as 1 2 3

Designing in VR
Editing geometries / masses

How to get there?

1. Choose a viable location,

research method

Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Delft Zuid,

How to compare traditional and VR/AR design

method

How to measure usefulness

2. Creating the imagined

design tool
Used tools & knowledge

Software: Unreal Engine 4

Primitive demo for MSc, more

functionality if possible

Backup plan: use the built-in

UE4 VR editor

Knowledge needed: UE4, a bit

of C++, possibly CityGML,
CityEngine, GIS

3. Research / design

Designing for the location

Testing the tool, designing with the tool

4. Evaluating the process &

designs

Learning the lessons

Draw conclusions

Framework of my project

Thesis project: research question

Are AR and VR technologies, when used as a design

methodology, adding value to the design process in
complex urban environments?

Subquestions
To what extend do AR and VR technologies help urban designers/planners gain
insight in complex design situations?
What is the state of the art in AR and VR technologies?
Which functionality does a VR and AR design tool for urbanism minimally need to be
effective?
How do AR and VR technologies, as a design tool, compare to designing by hand?
What design contexts are most suited to VR and AR design methodologies?

How can VR and AR as a design tool be further developed in the future?

Thank you!

Questions?
Ruben Hanssen
4253930
rhfhanssen@gmail.com