Stories

The Benefits of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality photo
A staff member at VCU uses an Oculus Rift headset to view the design and layout of the renovation. Courtesy of Justin Schmidt

Virtual reality (VR) technology is experiencing a resurgence after its initial experiments in the 80’s and 90’s. Since recapturing the public’s attention on a large scale in 2014 when Facebook purchased Oculus VR, virtual reality has evolved into a powerful tool with widespread applications and benefits.

Whether it is during the project pursuit, design development, MEP coordination/installation, safety and site logistics planning, or during the facilities maintenance stage, VR is proving it is far more than a fleeting new technology. DPR recognizes VR as a strategic tool that project teams across the country are increasingly leveraging to:

  • Increase stakeholder engagement
  • Increase communication
  • Resolve project challenges
  • Improve project predictability and outcomes.

To learn more about DPR’s VR initiative, read The Benefits of Virtual Reality authored by Kaushal Diwan, Raymond Huynh and Ocean Van.

Example of a virtual reality model
A virtual reality mockup that allowed hospital staff to experience the final look and feel of the room prior to completion. Courtesy of Justin Schmidt