Virtual Reality: From Conceptualization to Reality

As designers, our role is to bridge the gap between concept and constructed reality. We do this by leveraging virtual reality (VR) to invite clients inside their design—allowing them to experience scale, flow, and function as a fully realized space long before construction begins. 

“Our implementation of VR is a game changer because clients are more involved in the project from start to finish,” adds Juan Cárdenas. “VR gives our clients ownership of the design because they become immersed in its creation.”

By garnering client input throughout the design process, we can incorporate feedback more quickly in earlier stages of the project.

VR implementation not only streamlines the design process for the designer and the client, but it also saves on several costs that are often incurred to confirm whether a space would complement a workflow, and vice versa.

At any given point in a healthcare environment, there are multiple variables contained within that space – equipment, nurses, doctors, patients, family members, workflow – all of which are important factors that come into play when creating spaces. VR streamlines these factors to provide the client with a more cohesive experience of how the space will function.   
 

“Human imagination, as amazing as it is, is limited at times,” explains Chris Harms, EDAC. “We can only imagine so many variables at once. Using VR, we work to embed all of that information into a digital model and eliminate the need to imagine all of these variables for the end users.”

As healthcare designers, we pay close attention to the individual needs and culture of every client, because each has a unique way of operating. By engaging with the end user through VR, we can be assured we are meeting these specific needs.

As technology continues to develop in the future, Grace Design Studios will stay on top of these developments so that we remain well-equipped to provide the most innovative solutions for our clients.

“Every time there’s a technological leap in the world, our industry has to design for it, because we have to allocate space to be able to accept the process that has now adapted and changed,” explains Chris. “The one certainty about our field is that everything will keep evolving. VR technology helps Grace stay on top of these changes so we can continually evolve the design process.”