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Architectural design is an inherently spatial discipline. Yet, for over 99% of its written history, architectural plans have been done in a medium that does not allow for experiencing the design before it is built. We made two dimensional plans and views on paper. We made small scale 3D models of the building to be built. When computers arrived, we used their power to create designs and plans that are three dimensional, but still rendered on a two dimensional monitor. Fortunately that has changed recently with the introduction of Virtual Reality that is taking architectural visualizations by storm.

For the first time ever, we can experience the three dimensional structure of the building in life-size scale without having to build an expensive and hard-to-change model. Since then over 10% of architects use virtual reality on a day-to-day basis, with the next 25% planning on buying a headset within the next 12 months.

When Maciej Fijałkowski started designing and building his climbing gym in Cape Town, he also started experimenting with virtual reality for entertainment but quickly realized the potential for design. He soon discovered that viewing in virtual reality is just the beginning. We will at some point move to designing directly in virtual reality.

Together with Armin Rigo, a brilliant programmer and Duncan Fraser, a professional architect they started working on VR Sketch. VR Sketch is a plugin for a popular 3D modelling software, Trimble SketchUp. It integrates with the existing workflow by allowing users to view and modify their model directly in virtual reality using a similar set of tools that are available in SketchUp.

Since the original prototype built in mid-2017, the team has embarked on launching a company centered around the product with the idea of revolutionizing how big and small architecture firms design. The potential was quickly realized by people from varying backgrounds, from large architecture firms like ZGF Architects, through interior designers, modern furniture designers like Stykka to hobbyists and academics.

VR Sketch allows for the design to be created or changed instantly while within the 3D space. That allows more experimentation and much better final results. As Bell Helicopters found out, using virtual reality for design shortens the design loop. It is much quicker to see how well the final design works with just a few strokes of the controller. Since 3D design is a discipline where customer satisfaction is critical, creating better designs makes everyone happier. For architects it shortens the feedback loop and creates much happier customers, who in turn are more likely to recommend their services. Soon we will be arriving at a point where customers will demand access to virtual reality from architecture firms.

VR Sketch is a small, yet dynamic company. It plans to revolutionize how people think about design and how quickly designs can be made. The landscape of hardware capabilities will only improve and we will see more and more design work done in VR. VR Sketch will keep iterating quickly to deliver cutting edge solutions for years to come.

The post VR Sketch Helps you Create, Edit and View Models in Virtual Reality appeared first on Archipreneur.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me if I could help him with the design of a small vacation house. His family has a plot of land with an old, ruinous house on it which he wants to replace with a small modern home. It´s size should be around 60 qm (which equals 645 sq ft) and the budget is 60.000 € (64.000 $).

Mmh, great I thought…

…typical tasks and struggle every architect has to face quite to often in working life. But I liked the challenge and the minimal approach and started to browse for some references. It did not take me very long until I stumbled upon a solid answer:

The WikiHouse – A project developed by London-based design group 00:/.

Since I founded Archipreneur.com I am always looking around for great ideas, start-ups and entrepreneurs in the context of design, architecture and city planning. This is why I was very excited and fascinated when I first discovery this open source start-up. So let’s see how it works…

How does WikiHouse work?

The WikiHouse is an open source building system which allows you to access and download a freely shared library of 3D models in SketchUp. This is smart because SketchUp is free and really easy to use. You can adapt the models to design your own house and generate a set of cutting files of it. The WikiHouse founders developed an unique SketchUp plugin for that.

The next step is to print out the parts from your house using a CNC machine. They recommend to use a standard sheet material like plywood for that. They are numbering all the parts which are going together without any bolts because the system uses wedge and peg connections.

A team of about two or three people without any traditional constructions skills and power tools will be able to build a small house in about a day. Onto the basis classic of a WikiHouse you can then apply systems like windows, cladding, insulation and services.

The proof of concept is already done. For the London Design Festival 2014, WikiHouse co-founders 00 partnered with ARUP engineers and The Building Centre to develop and build the WikiHouse 4.0 in central London. 4.0 was the world’s first digitally manufactured, open source house to be built. 4.0 was the first two storey house for WikiHouse, showcasing the reality of using the WikiHouse system for house building. The structure was built in ten days with a team of around eight volunteers.

The following video with Alastair Parvin, co-founder of WikiHouse will be really interesting for you to better understand the concept.

What are the next steps for the product?

In the moment the WikiHouse Foundation is working on a catalogue of different house designs. Anyone can download or buy those products under the license of Creative Commons from an online platform.

The Foundation is also in the process of establishing WikiHouse trademark badges. In conclusion, these badges will include WikiHouse Designer, WikiHouse Manufacturer, WikiHouse Certifier, WikiHouse builder and give individuals or groups certifications of their service.

The Founders are writing: “WikiHouse is a product of three massive trends: open design, automation and digital manufacturing – catalysts for the third industrial revolution.”

If the relevance for society will arrive depends on weather the proclaimed changes in planning and production processes of housing developments will be implemented. If so, the WikiHouse and its community could be a contribution to the change of existing production methods.

The future will show us and the potential is visible. I am excited what their next steps will be. Therefore, here are some links for further readings:

– Ted Talk with Alastair Parvin

– Architecture 00

– Space Craft Systems

What´s your opinion on the WikiHouse?

The post Social Archipreneurship: How WikiHouse is Making Housing Affordable appeared first on Archipreneur.