Utilizing Virtual Mock-up Technology to Maximize Project Value
Updated: Jun 4, 2020
Technological advancements have progressed significantly over the past decade, previously an architect created 2D drawings and sketches to express project design. However, through the evolution of technology, the computer has increasingly become an essential tool for designers and architects enabling them to create 3D photorealism models, as well as virtual project mock-up tours. This progression has not only redefined project design presentations, but has increased the value gained from a client’s facility investment with the ability to visualize exactly how they want to utilize their spaces during the design phase of the project.
Virtual tours expose the client to the project as it will become, through realistic views of the building exterior and interior spaces. BDR promotes virtual mock ups as early as possible in the design process, as it gives stakeholders the ability to efficiently evaluate design options and assess recommendations in order drive decisions and gain optimal value of the Owner’s program space. For the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Inpatient and Emergency Services Expansion project, the project team is utilizing 3D virtual mock-up technology as a way of showing our client the placement of all equipment and furniture within the new spaces, as well as the layout of critical and specialty areas.
Using the architect’s Revit model, the team created a virtual mock-up of a Private Patient room, an ED Examination room and a Trauma room. The mock-ups allowed the end users and stakeholders from both Inpatient and Emergency Services the ability to visualize these rooms in a virtual setting and observe the locations of all equipment connections, outlets, patient monitors and other medical devices. Thus allowing the client to make adjustments in order to maximize the space and ensure that all project elements and goals are delivered.
The virtual mock-up rooms have benefited the project in two ways:
Project stakeholders have provided the design team with valuable comments and input for relocating specific equipment and outlet locations, which were incorporated into the final set of construction drawings before issuance to the contractor.
The virtual mock-up’s was utilized as a communication and public relations tool to promote the project and involve hospital staff, volunteers and community.
Maximizing the projects overall value, quality and satisfaction by defining a “real-world” view of the end product to the client from design through occupancy.
During the virtual room session tours, Inpatient and Emergency Services staff used Google glasses to view the room mock ups, as shown below. Utilizing google glasses and an “x-box” joy stick controller, the stakeholder is able to virtually enter the room, walk into the private bathroom and up to the patient bed to see the patient headwall.
