Virtual Reality

In it’s most pure definition, virtual reality is a three-dimensional, interactive, computer-generated environment. In the architectural world, virtual reality is mostly used to portray interior and exterior designs during the design phases to clearly immerse clients or future tenants in a space.

Mancini incorporates virtual reality into the design process with elevated goals past just pure aesthetic visualization. Our in-house developers have programmed custom software that expands the typical visual experience and allows fully immersive interaction with a space or objects.

With virtual reality, Mancini is allowing clients to simulate and act-out the environment of their future design. Being able to test a furniture configuration or change a material adds value to the design process since there is a reocurring utility to the outcome. Sure, seeing a two-dimensional render might help decide between red or blue carpet and save a one-time change order. But being able to confirm that a ceiling height or office space configuration can increase efficiencies that improve a space’s day-to-day use.

Recent projects where Mancini has used virtual reality during the design process include Boqueria and a Global Technology Company, both of which also employed the Mancini:Toolbelt.

Augmented Reality

Blurring the lines between the real world and the virtual world is the best way to define augmented reality. Computer-generated, three-dimensional content is superimposed on real-world content. The first full-scale consumer introduction of this technology was made popular with the mobile app game Pokemon Go. Through a phone’s video camera, users saw characters superimposed within the context of the real world.

Mancini capitalizes on augmented reality technology with customized app designs that can insert virtual elements in real world environments. This is most successful when our clients want to test-fit a few options into an existing site, or see what a wall or ceiling might look like during construction. Other apps in our pipeline start to merge various construction trades into one, layered application. Using these apps, clients can simply point thir phones at a wall and be able to see plumbing or mechanical equipment behind it.

Mancini’s in-house developers have already created prototypes, like the Mancini-favorite Dogmented Reality app, that we plan to release to app stores in the near future.

Mixed Reality (XR)

Mixed reality combines both virtual and mixed reality to create completely immersive environments. Using mixed reality, clients can interact with virtual visualizations in real world environments. As a user physically moves an object in the real world, sensors can capture the movement in the virtual world as well.

Mancini uses real world environments and virtual simulations to enhance the desing and construction process. Our in-house developers are programming applications that allow clients to see things from a new perspective. The latest application to come out of our tech incubator, the Design Lab, is an installation assistance program that transfers plans from a 3D architectural model and projects them onto an object. This shows important information like dimensions, object placement instructions, or important notes for the installation team to reference during construction.

This technology helps cut down on tools needed for a job and limit the amount of drawings produced on paper. By the instructions being projected right in front of the worker, the potential for user error is decreased since there is no flipping back and forth. Using mixed reality and this projection mapping technology, it’s our goal to ultimately eliminate the need for plans to be printed at all!

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