AR + ARCHITECTURAL MODELS (ongoing)
INTRODUCTION
There was an opportunity for our department to evaluate a client's current sales model and provide a new way for them to present to their clients. Condo developers in the city typically have sales presentation centres where you can find more information about the new building tower that is being constructed. This is also where you buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a condo in it's pre-construction phase. Most developers will have a highly detailed architectural model in their showrooms along with floorplans of units available and renders of parts of the building they want to feature as selling points.
BRIEF
Tasked to combine and package services offered by out departmetn (Design Technology) to sell to prospective clients. The three streams of Design Technology encompass renders, architectural scale models and VR/AR.
APPROACH
We used the Design Thinking methodology to gain insights into the users and to explore new ways of providing a better service and end product.
UNDERSTANDING
+
DEFINING
SWOT analysis
Competitor research
Stakeholder interviews
User research
Sales staff interviews
Sales centre observations
Touchpoints identification
User interviews
IDEATION
User personas
User story
Scenarios/Customer journey
Storyboarding
PROTOTYPING
3D modelling
Rendering - building + interiors
360's
Architectural massing model
AR setup
TESTING
+
VALIDATING
Proof of concept
Test/sell to developers
Customize
User test
RESEARCH AND
INSIGHTS
Our research shows that pre-construction condos are the most affordable channel to home ownership. There has also been a trent in micro-units as developers target young millenials looking to move out on their own.
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From talking to architects and designers to developers and project managers and sales staff, we found additional evidence that this trend does not seem to be restricted to just the downtown core. Our client has developments in various parts of the city.
IDEATION
We discovered an opportunity to package and sell our services to our client in a more engaging manner while being attentive to their needs in selling condos to their target clients with the key touch point being their sales presentation centres. We currently already provide renders and architectural models to our clients. AR is relatively new stream in our department. It’s been added as part of IBI’s tech pivot to be more than just an architectural company. AR is also a great tool considering our primary target demographic is younger and probably more tech savvy. AR technology also has an advantage that the user does not need to put on a headset that’s shared by every potential client that walks through the showroom. No sanitization required after each use. An app can simply be downloaded onto your phone for you to experience what living in this space could be like. Sales centre models don’t show you what it is to live in a particular space. They just show what the building looks like. There is a disconnect between living in a space versus living in a building.
USER PERSONAS
STORYBOARDING
PROTOTYPING
TESTING
VALIDATING
The project is currently put on hold due to Covid.
The next step would be a proof of concept by having the ability to integrate renders, 360’s, and interiors tagged and recognized by an app that can be triggered by a visual key on an architectural model.
After proof of concept, testing and validating, we would design the UX and UI of the app itself. This is dependent on whether we use and customize an existing app for our needs or whether we develop an app from scratch.