Enviz partners with Hall & Hart to bring VR to home design
Enviz, a proptech company, has announced its partnership with Hall & Hart to integrate virtual reality (VR) technology into the home design and construction process.
Hall & Hart, based in Sydney, focuses on knockdown rebuilds and now offers its clients an immersive design experience that aims to improve visualisation and decision-making.
Traditionally, house designs have heavily depended on two-dimensional plans and three-dimensional renderings. However, these often do not provide homeowners with a comprehensive understanding of their prospective homes. Recognising this limitation, Hall & Hart has adopted Enviz's VR technology, enabling customers to experience a fully immersive design process.
Craig Sutton, General Manager of Hall & Hart, noted the challenges that clients face with traditional plans. "Not everyone can visualise from a 2D drawing, and even from a 3D drawing, our customers often struggle to really see what the end product will look like. Our goal is to help homeowners visualise their future home as best they can, as early as they can," Sutton said. "This minimises the risk of disappointment or dissatisfaction and costly rework later in the process."
The VR platform provided by Enviz allows clients to navigate through their home designs in a realistic, three-dimensional environment. This enables them to make more informed decisions and reduce the possibility of expensive modifications during construction.
"Customers can walk around their house in their own time, show friends and family, get their feedback, and consolidate their thinking," added Sutton. "This level of detail just isn’t possible with traditional plans."
Clients are given a comprehensive walkthrough guide that includes evaluating external elements such as gas meters and water tanks, as well as internal features like window sizes. One notable instance was when a client used the VR model to assess the view from their bathtub and decided to adjust the window placement for a better view. According to Sutton, this level of customisation is only possible through the use of VR technology.
A recent project on Sydney’s Northern Beaches highlighted the benefits of VR technology. The client decided to remove a separate living area after walking through the VR model, a decision that saved both time and money.
"This change could have taken three to five months to identify without VR, leading to significant time and cost implications for both us and the client," Sutton explained. "Time is money, and being able to make updates quickly and identify challenges early has been a game-changer for our business and our clients."
Enviz's VR platform is mobile and flexible, allowing interaction on-site or off-site, in-person or remotely. The technology is compatible with VR headsets, mobile devices, and web browsers, making it accessible in various settings.
Michael Shaw, CEO of Enviz, commented on the growing importance of VR technology in home design. "As the demand for personalised and high-quality home design grows, the integration of AR and VR technology is becoming essential. Our partnership with Hall & Hart demonstrates how innovative tools can significantly enhance both the client experience and the design process," Shaw remarked. "We are excited to lead this transformation in the industry and set a new standard for residential design and construction."
Sutton expressed optimism about the broader applicability of VR in the construction industry. "Every build faces similar challenges. The improvements we’ve seen with VR technology are substantial and would benefit the entire industry. Clients increasingly expect customisation and a high-quality experience. As awareness of these services grows, it will become almost a requirement for builders to offer VR technology to meet customer expectations," he said.
