The place of VR technologies in UK architectural practice

Since the year 2000, interactive immersive technology is widely affordable and available across disciplines and in the private domain. This paper presents the results of an original survey amongst the AJ100 (27 February 2018) practices in the UK exploring the use of VR technologies in contemporary architectural practice. It investigates the type and intensity of the use in practices different in size, type but unified by their high ambitions and recognition as the leading practices in the UK. The survey reveals that 52% of the AJ100 practices use VR in their offices. Sixty percent of the VR outputs are 360-degree panoramic images leaving 40% to (Construct UK Ltd) the production of VR walkthrough models. The surveyed practices report an almost balanced split between desktop tethered hardware and mobile devices, whereas large hardware installations i.e. CAVE VR or Space Domes play a subordinate role in their office equipment. It is not surprising that the VR technologies are heavily used in client meetings and for representation purposes, but the study also revealed that the VR has found its way into the genuine design processes within the core design team as well as in coordination activities between stakeholders outside the client related communication, i.e. consultant communication. The findings of the study are based on a response rate of 72% including 13 offices from the top 20 of the AJ100 practices in the UK.