As an AEC professional, you’ve seen firsthand how spatial issues can impact construction projects. These challenges can range from accessibility problems, ADA clearance complications, sight line disruptions, to structural and MEP overlaps within a building’s layout.

These types of issues can often slip past automated clash detection tools but become readily apparent on a construction site, which can lead to costly delays and changes in the process. However, with virtual reality (VR) technology, you now have access to a tool that can help you recognize and address these early spatial issues well before they become a problem on the ground.

One of the key advantages of VR is its ability to enhance spatial awareness. In a VR environment, users can walk through rooms, hallways, and other spaces, experiencing the design from a first-person perspective. This real-time interaction helps in detecting potential clashes, such as misaligned walls, insufficient clearances, or design flaws that could impede functionality. These issues, if not identified early, can lead to costly rework and delays during construction.

Streamlines decision-making

Moreover, VR fosters better communication and collaboration among project stakeholders. Complex spatial issues can be challenging to convey through traditional methods. With VR, everyone involved can view and discuss the same virtual space simultaneously, ensuring that all parties have a shared understanding of the issues at hand. This collaborative approach not only streamlines decision-making but also builds consensus, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Viewing spatial issue in Autodesk Workshop XR

A VR walkthrough is like developing a spatial relationship with the actual building. It offers realistic construction scenario simulations, allowing for the early detection of potential issues. The benefits of using VR for managing spatial issues are huge, including cost savings, improved efficiency, and a reduced risk of costly errors on the actual site.

Imagine stepping into a future building without leaving your office; that’s what VR offers. A VR walkthrough mirrors the experience of developing a spatial relationship with the actual building, making it an invaluable tool for architects, engineers, and other stakeholders. This isn’t just about viewing a model; it’s about experiencing the space. You can walk through rooms, navigate corridors, and explore every nook and cranny as if you were physically there. This immersion fosters an intuitive understanding of spatial relationships, akin to walking through the completed structure.

In VR you can perceive the dimensions, proportions, and layouts precisely. You can gauge if a hallway feels cramped or if a room has adequate natural light. This sensory experience is crucial for identifying potential issues that might be overlooked in traditional 2D plans or even static 3D models.

Crucial to informed decisions

This level of detail is crucial to making informed decisions that enhance the building’s performance and user experience. Key to this experience are Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, which play a critical role in building engineering, particularly in the context of layout and spatial issues. The MEP systems are the backbone of any building, ensuring the functionality, safety, and comfort of the structure.

While each of these three systems has its own unique set of requirements and constraints, they often overlap and intersect within the building’s spatial layout. This overlap can create a complex web of interdependencies, which must be carefully managed to ensure the optimal performance of the building.

The overlap of MEP systems within the building’s layout can also lead to spatial issues. These issues can include conflicts between different systems, such as an HVAC duct impeding the path of a plumbing pipe, or an electrical conduit interfering with a ventilation shaft. Such conflicts can lead to costly and time-consuming rework and can also compromise the performance of the systems.

Spatial issues are critical across the entire spectrum of building design and construction. Take for instance underground mining operations. According to Shane Goosney, one of the Visual Leads for Stantec, these operations require efficient use of space for facilities like offices, maintenance shops, and explosive storage.

“Underground activities are dynamic, with constant movement of shaft conveyances, vehicles, and personnel. While codes, minimum clearances, and tolerances may be met, the safest and most functional workspace may not have been achieved,” Goosney says. “To address this, VR technology is used in the design workflow to review model progress and provide an immersive experience for mining and maintenance personnel allowing for the collection of intangible feedback.”

Part of this feedback could include the ease of movement through tight spaces, accessibility of emergency egresses, and the availability of headspace—which can be more accurately reviewed using VR than with 2D drawings.

Instantly transported

Preventing spatial issues is crucial to achieving optimal building design and construction. This is where the power of VR technology truly shines, offering significant advantages over traditional 3D construction software in identifying and managing spatial issues. VR offers an immersive experience that 3D models on a screen can’t match.

When stakeholders—architects, engineers, contractors, or clients—put on a VR headset they are instantly transported into a full-scale virtual representation of a project. This immersive environment allows for a true-to-life understanding of the space, making it easier to identify issues that might be overlooked on a flat screen or paper.

Tools like Autodesk Workshop XR allow for real-time collaboration and modifications. If a design flaw or spatial conflict is detected, adjustments can be made on the spot and synced back to the project file. This dynamic process enhances collaboration, ensuring all stakeholders have a shared, tangible understanding of the space.

Leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud

The connection of Autodesk Workshop XR to Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) provides significant benefits to AEC professionals. ACC, a robust platform for project management and collaboration, streamlines workflows, enhances communication, and ensures data integrity throughout the project lifecycle. Workshop XR has been built from the ground up directly connected to ACC to amplify these benefits into immersive and interactive experiences that bridge the gap between design and reality.

ACC provides a centralized platform for storing, accessing, and sharing BIM data. This real-time collaboration with VR applications helps teams visualize and interact with models in a shared virtual environment with the most current and accurate information. This level of accuracy helps to ensure that teams can explore design options, assess constructability, and validate the spatial issues of a project with greater confidence.

VR technology has proven to be an invaluable asset in recognizing spatial issues in AEC projects. Its ability to simulate real-world scenarios, coupled with its connection with platforms like ACC, makes it a game-changer in the construction industry. By leveraging VR, engineers and construction professionals can ensure better space utilization, leading to more efficient and cost-effective construction projects.

As AEC professionals continue to explore and harness the capabilities of VR, a new course is being charted for the industry, one where spatial issues are identified and addressed long before they can impact your projects. It’s an exciting time to be in the AEC industry, VR continues to impact how projects are designed and built.

Start a free trial of Workshop XR to start collaborating in VR and ensure your data is connected back to a single source of truth.