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T E C H N O L O G Y
BIM becomes more interactive VIATechnik incorporates gaming systems to enhance virtual reality experince of building models; service has been utilized for architecture, contruction, and logistics.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
E ngineering services company VIATechnik is mak- ing waves in the advancement of virtual design and construction and building information model- ing. Until recently, being able to experience a con- struction project virtually meant viewing a build- ing through static 3D renderings or models with limited interactivity. That’s no longer the case. “Our engineers can create a virtual environment to help a client interact with a project. The difference with this and something like Revit lies in the ability to create a UI where the client, with no modeling experience, can easily make changes to the model and interact with our work.” BUILDING AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE. VIATechnik has taken things a step further with the incorporation of gaming technology into models, creating an in- teractive experience for their clients. The benefits of this technology in the virtual design and con- struction industry are considerable. The service expands beyond just virtual reality for architecture projects to also encompass logistics planning. Anton Dy Buncio, COO of VIATechnik says, “Our engineers can create a virtual environment to help a client interact with a project. The difference with this and something like Revit lies in the ability to create a UI where the client, with no modeling ex- perience, can easily make changes to the model and interact with our work. For example, in a pow- er plant project that we are working on, our client is able to manipulate multiple logistics plans and evaluate various logistical challenges quickly.” With the use of the gaming technology, station- ary 3D models can be turned into virtual environ- ments before construction ever hits the ground. Being able to interact with a project from its ini- tial BIM is also a time and cost-saving benefit. Deci- sions on changes to the project can be made quickly and more efficiently.
Anton Dy Buncio, COO, VIATechnik.
PR Newswire
VIATechnik BIM screenshot
VIRTUAL REALITY IN ACTION. Through a collaborative team approach, VIATechnik has enabled construc- tion firms around the country to increase their es- timating bandwidth and engage in better planning before construction. A condo building-project in New York City, com- prised of six stories of condos above two stories of retail and commercial-space, highlights how VI- ATechnik’s expert estimating and virtual construc- tion capabilities help clients take their project pur- suits to the next level – visualization, planning and problem-solving in a virtual environment prior to breaking ground. First, VIATechnik partnered with a general contrac- tor that needed quantity takeoffs to augment its in-house resources. Using on-screen take-off, VI- ATechnik provided complete quantity takeoffs for all architectural, structural, and MEP trades with detail, accuracy, and speed. A rendered 3-D model, which can be integrated with the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset, pro- vided the client with pre-construction insights and allowed users to walk through a condo unit while immersing themselves in the environment. The re- sults: faster condo leasing, better marketing pres- ence in the community, and a more engaged de- sign/construction/developer team. Some interesting features embedded in the virtual reality program include: ❚ ❚ A map icon in the top right corner allowing users to better understand where in the project they are
See VIATECHNIK , page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 27, 2015, ISSUE 1113
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