Stories

Digital Minds: Lindsay Boyajian

Lindsay Boyajian is the Head of Marketing for Augment. The company has offices in Paris, New York and Orlando, and developed the augmented reality app Augment, which can be used to scan twodimensional drafts to create threedimensional virtual models. Augment’s clients include Coca Cola, Samsung and Siemens.

RECKLI_Lindsay Boyaijan

FORMLINER

What is augmented reality, and how can it help architects and contractors?

LINDSAY BOYAJIAN

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, 3d models and videos, in a real-time environment. Augmented reality superimposes virtual objects on a view of the physical world. Therefore, AR supplements and enhances reality. Today, augmented reality is used in engineering design, manufacturing, architecture, and other industries.

AR enables architects and designers to better communicate concepts and plans to clients, users and the rest of the project team. AR enables all parties to understand a building more quickly and thoroughly. When everyone shares a common understanding of the design, the project is executed more efficiently from the outset.

Users can easily manipulate 3D plans through their smartphones or tablets, providing the clearest picture of the likely final product. 2D blueprints can be enhanced with 3D models, allowing clients or potential buyers or investors to project themselves into building plans and explore.

FORMLINER

Can you tell us about one of your projects in the building sector so far?How did the client benefit from using augmented reality?

LINDSAY BOYAJIAN

Invercasa Group, a real estate construction company based in Nicaragua, uses Augment to sell future building projects to clients.

This year the Group launched its first housing project Condominium Montesol. During one-on-one sales meetings, their sales agents leverage augmented reality to show prospects 3D models of the future buildings.

Augment helps the company improve the effectiveness of their sales meetings. With augmented reality, it is easier to convey the final vision of the project, and it is easier for clients to understand what they are buying. Prospects can better visualize what Invercasa Group is offering. Customers can interact with the 3D housing models in augmented reality to see where the walls, doors, and other internal assets will be built. Augment connects the product and clients.

FORMLINER

What was your personal “wow”-moment when working with augmented reality?

LINDSAY BOYAJIAN

Each time I scan a 2D image with the Augment app to bring a 3D model to life, I have a “wow” moment. The “wow” effect doesn’t fade. Augmented reality always proves to be impressive.

FORMLINER

What are the challenges when working with augmented reality? (in general and from a contractor’s/architect’s point of view)

LINDSAY BOYAJIAN

Because mobile devices are not yet as powerful as the desktop computers used to create building models, 3D models must meet certain parameters in order to function correctly in a render correctly through Augment’s augmented reality mobile application.

Therefore, the polygon count of architectural models must sometimes be reduced before being uploaded to the AR platform. The polygon count must not exceed 1,000,000 and the zip file uploaded in Augment must not exceed 100MB.

FORMLINER

Where do you think AR is headed? Could it be crucial for the building process in the future?

LINDSAY BOYAJIAN

AR is the future of all product visualization. Thanks to AR, 3D building projects will no longer be trapped in 2D. All stakeholders will be able to realize the final vision of the project from the outset and throughout the development.

Right now, augmented reality is restricted by the hardware. As AR headsets and mobile devices advance, so will the proliferation of AR. Augmented reality will be the medium to visualize building plans and projects in the future.