Augmented reality serving architecture: Immersive tours are redefining the experience of architecture

Augmented reality (AR), this technology that overlays virtual elements onto the real world, has found a privileged playground in the field of architecture. Thanks to innovative applications, AR transforms not only the design of buildings but also the user experience during architectural tours. More than just a simple visualisation of models, it now allows for immersive tours where the user can interact with buildings, visualise inaccessible spaces, or even experience architectural simulations. But how does this technology influence the way we discover, experience, and understand architecture?

Augmented Reality: A New Design Tool for Architects

Before focusing on immersive tours, it is important to understand how AR intervenes in the architectural design process. Traditionally, architects used 2D plans or physical models to represent projects. Today, thanks to AR, these tools have evolved into interactive 3D models that can be projected into the real world.

With AR, architects can:

• Visualise and test their designs at full scale.

• Overlay 3D models of buildings on real sites to observe how the construction integrates into its environment.

• Identify potential issues (scale problems, harmony, sunlight, etc.) even before construction begins.

The Emergence of Immersive Tours Thanks to Augmented Reality

Immersive tours are one of the most fascinating applications of AR in the field of architecture. Far from being limited to a simple visual exploration of a building or space, these tours allow users to dive into virtual or augmented environments where they can interact with elements in real-time.

Visits of Ongoing Projects

One of the most widespread uses of AR in architecture is visualising ongoing projects. A client or investor can, using AR glasses or a smartphone, walk through an ongoing project, even if it is not yet built. For example, in the case of a future apartment, AR can project the walls, furniture, and layouts directly into an empty space or a physical model. This allows for a better understanding of the layout, volume, or the impact of chosen materials, all while moving freely in the space as if the building already existed.

Exploration of Historical or Inaccessible Buildings

AR also opens up new possibilities for visits to historical buildings or inaccessible architecture sites. Thanks to AR applications, it is now possible to digitally restore ancient buildings, allowing visitors to explore vanished or damaged structures as if they were intact. For example, a person visiting an archaeological site could see, through their mobile device, what a building looked like in its original time, with architectural details and decorative elements.

Interactivity: A Key Leverage for Immersive Experience

What distinguishes the immersive tour from classical visits is the possibility of interacting with the elements of the decor. AR allows visitors to personalise their experience based on their interests or needs. For example:

• Change the construction materials: In a virtual model, visitors can choose different materials to see how they affect the aesthetics of the building.

• Modify light and shadow: The user can manipulate lighting to observe the effects of different lighting conditions (day/night, shading, etc.) on the structure.

• Simulate changes in space: AR can be used to create interactive scenarios where the user can test different configuration layouts, such as the distribution of spaces or the arrangement of architectural elements.

This makes visits more dynamic, personalised, and engaging, allowing users to experience an immersive encounter that is closer to reality.

The Concrete Applications of AR in Immersive Tours

Many companies and institutions are already leveraging AR to transform the experience of their visitors. Here are some concrete examples:

• Architecture museums: Museums like the Architecture Museum of Paris or the Pompidou Centre have developed AR applications that allow visitors to discover interactive models, explore historical buildings, or even simulate architectural changes.

• Real estate developers: Real estate developers are using AR applications to showcase apartments or houses that do not yet exist, allowing buyers to envision their future home.

• Tourist visits of monuments: Many historical and tourist sites now offer augmented reality tours. For example, the Cathedral of Chartres or the Ruins of Pompeii use AR applications to provide an immersion into the past of these places, allowing visitors to see the monuments as they were at their peak.

Conclusion: The Future of AR and Immersive Tours in Architecture

Augmented reality represents a true revolution in the way we experience architecture. From design to visit, it offers endless possibilities for creating more engaging, personalised, and realistic experiences. Immersive tours not only allow for the discovery of projects in real time but also allow visitors to dive into inaccessible or vanished architectural worlds while interacting with space in an intuitive and natural manner.

As technologies evolve, it is highly likely that these experiences will become more accessible and enriching, redefining our relationship with architecture and space.