Architecture is both a tough yet important industry within modern business. Architects are responsible for birthing new and interesting buildings and properties into this world and is a domain that always seems to find itself in the cutting edge of innovation.
Architects may have used the simple pen and paper to make their blueprints a few decades ago, but now, technology is giving them a helping hand to create some of the most outstanding builds in history. Modern architectural practices utilize advanced software for precise design and modeling, while cutting-edge hardware plays a crucial role in prototyping. For instance, high-quality centrifuges and mixers, similar to those provided by equipment suppliers like Genie Scientific, are essential for testing and developing materials used in architectural projects. Additionally, tools like 3D printers and customized workstations allow for the rapid creation of detailed models, further enhancing the design process. This blend of sophisticated technology and innovative equipment is transforming the architecture industry, leading to better outcomes and more groundbreaking designs. From the different types of software used to aid in their design process, to hardware to help with prototyping, here is some of the technology that is changing the architecture industry for the better.
3D Printers
3D printers have been around for a while now and have shown promise since their early inception. However, it seems only recently that the potential is being realised, and one of the ways it’s doing that is by helping architects. Now the architects and engineers can not only get the plan printing done to follow the process of building, but the entire structure made through this. By giving individuals the ability to print out three-dimensional designs, it means that manufacturers, designers, and indeed architects can design and create accurate models and prototypes of their designs with far greater ease than what they were able to do before.
Beforehand, most agencies would have to have gone through a third-party company to get their prototypes, which could have taken months. The advent of the 3D printer has reduced this time to days and even hours, meaning the design process can be a lot more streamlined, allowing agencies to be far more productive. The benefits of 3D printers and models also enable designers to review their dimensions as well as assess the structural integrity, meaning that giving designers the option to make countless prototypes is invaluable as they tweak to find the perfect design.
Hyper-Realistic Visuals
Thanks to a bunch of new and impressive computer software, architects can create photorealistic designs of their proposed builds, which help architects to communicate & visualise their designs better, meaning that clients and contractors can fully visualise the intentions of the build.
This type of technology is revolutionary, as now they’re able to composite their new design proposal and slot it alongside an existing skyline, to see how it would look and fit into the surrounding area. They can also create easy to read and understand floor plans, to help provide additional clarity. This technology alone has helped architects win countless more bids, as it makes their proposals far more impactful and can also be used to aid with the marketing of the property.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality, which is the computer technology that uses a headset to generate realistic images and other sensations to create an imagery realm within a physical environment, is being used more and more frequently in architecture. The ways it’s used is to help bridge the gap between the client and architect and enables designs to be brought to life before the build has been started. This technology can help in every stage of the architectural process and aid with permit approvals, property design and marketing purposes. With AR, you’re able to use similar technology to overlay a virtual build over a real environment so that viewers can see and assess how it’ll look when fully finished. It’s beneficial technology, which with the rest of the advances in this field, is set to revolutionise the industry.
