Hermaton At BoschShine Arts Festival

Hermaton exhibited at BoschShine Arts festival in S’Hertogenbosh showcases the installation using seven giant flowerpots that are covered with artwork to trigger different levels of the Hermaton game. Each flowerpot digitally augments into a virtual maze that players get to navigate around and explore new landscapes. Each level can be experienced by finding and switching on the various light-bulbs within this surrealistic maze. 

For full details about this Augmented Reality Installation, please go onto DARF DESIGN WEBSITE: 

Hermaton at Bosch Shine from Darf Design on Vimeo.

12 months of ARki: Augmented Reality Architecture

ARki Showreel from SAHAR FIKOUHI on Vimeo.

What's so interesting about seeing an architectural model in AR?

Well for those of you that haven't come across the technology, it's a really interesting medium to describe the narrative behind the design process in an interactive manner. ARki was a starting point to see how we could take all these architectural models that exist already in every design firm and convert them into tools which allow the user to explore the design in a more immersive way. Ideally the challenge was predominantly concerned with design communication of architectural drawings, and how you could package architectural models for a mass audience. We weren't just concerned with illustrating 3-D models in augmented reality alone, the main focus of this product was to create bespoke interactive solutions that really explain the narrative of the design in an innovative way.

Over the last 12 months we have had lots of interesting projects that have allowed us to push the boundaries of what is actually possible within augmented reality architectural visualisation. Of course the main challenge has been to do with the fact that architects don't really work with low polygon models and we spend the majority of our time trying to optimise these very complex high detail models down to something which can be converted into AR. But putting technicalities aside the main challenge for us is always on how we can create interactive environments that truly describe the key functionalities of each architectural design in real-time.

The main question I guess is why is ARki more useful than traditional visualisation techniques and why does making an augmented reality app demonstrate the building any better than an animation or 2-D visual. Well usually I would answer that question by simply asking clients to have fun exploring the app followed by 10 to 15 minutes of playtime....

For those who have had the experience of playing with the App you know that ARki is in fact pretty self explanatory, but for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of downloading ARki, let me take this opportunity to break down some of the fundamental perks of this app. 

So like any standard 3-D animation, ARki is capable of demonstrating pretty much any form of animation that is already achievable within traditional architectural visualisation with the added bonus that you get to control these animations in real-time. That means you can demonstrate any key parameter that is unique to the design such as solar shading, wind circulation, design options, material options, sustainability and so much more at the click of a button, or in this case at the click of multiple buttons depending on how many features you want to showcase. On top of this, you get to view these models at any scale, anywhere in physical space, and in any angle you wish to experience the building, because for the first time since physical model making was invented, your ARki models exist in Augmented Reality, superimposed virtual models in the real-world, because funny enough Architects really do enjoy viewing their building designs from all sorts of funny angles. 

Don't believe me? well why not take this opportunity to find out for your self by downloading ARki on the app store and let us know what you think....

ARki on the App store

We have had lots of fun with ARki so far and every project has brought tons of new potential for the platform in general. The main highlight for us has been being able to add new interactivity features that are unique to each project, and it's really exciting to see how each feature described the narrative of the design from a new perspective.  Looking forward to many more years of ARki mayhem. 

For more information please visit:
DARF Design

ARki projects: Augmented Reality architectural visualisation

Some snippets of work we have done using ARki in the last few months. We are currently working on releasing a showreel which  highlight some new interactivity features that we are working on for each project. Above is a screenshot of ARki in collaboration with Ian Simpson Architects for One Blackfriars tower. 

Each project has allowed us to explore interesting interactivity features which highlight certain design considerations specific for each project. Above is a screenshot of a small portion of a master-plan proposal by OAOA, and in this project we got to incorporate a number of new functions including ecotect data, program analysis, and multiple design options. Looking forward to releasing a short video trailer very soon.

for more information please visit:
ARki

Showcasing ARki-Augmented Reality Architecture

The last few Months we have been very busy spreading the word on how great ARki is for architects! here are a couple of snapshots of our presentations at Ian Simpson Architects and CGL.

For more information please visit:
ARki

ARki in China

We had lots of fun showcasing ARki at taiyuan university of technology (China) to all the architecture students. 

ARki: Augmented Reality Architecture now available on the app store

ARki is now available on the apple app store as a demo project to showcase some of the base functionalities of augmented reality architectural visualisation:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arki/id700695106?mt=8

For more information about ARki please visit: 

ARki Darf Design

Introducing ARki: Augmented Reality Architectural Visualisation

Arki is an Augmented Reality platform for real-time visualisation of architectural models. By incorporating AR technology within the architectural design process, ARki is able to visualise 3d models for both design and presentation purposes, helping to create an immersive visualisation technique with multiple layers of interactivity. ARki can be deployed on any ios/ android device which allows the user to explore 3d data with an added level of navigational freedom. The spatial nature of ARki provides real-time architectural visualisation which has several benefits in design communication for a multitude of architectural projects. 

ARki  showcases key interactive functionalities, including real-time shadow analysis, and material selection, by simply overlaying 3d models/information onto existing floorplans/siteplans. By viewing  models in Augmented reality ARki also provides an added functionality to capture and record custom views of models in both movie and 2d still format. This allows  users to save or share their recorded visualisations via email or social media directly from within ARki. 


To create custom applications for architectural propositions, we incorporate 3d models and plans within the ARki framework, using leading AR technology, to create bespoke interactive applications based on each individual architectural project. 

For any additional information  about ARki please visit: 
Darf Design

"Hermaton" Augmented Reality Game Wins an Auggie

So excited to announce that Hermaton has won an Auggie for best AR mobile App at AWE2013!!!!! thanks for all the votes! 
http://augmentedworldexpo.com/auggies/

Some Highlights from Augmented World Expo 2013, where we exhibited Hermaton at room scale! 

Introducing Hermaton (Augmented Reality Game and Architecture)

It's been a while since my last post, but I would like to start by introducing our latest AR Installation, HERMATON, which will be exhibited at AWE 2013 this June. Watch out for the trailer and app coming soon!

Detonator prototype at the Bartlett Exhibition (Augmented Reality Gaming)

          

The integration of augmented reality technology in architectural space has capacity to open new portals of communication and encounters into the built environment to change people’s behaviour in space. This can be done by reclaiming parts of an urban environment to provide a new use of space which is non‐regulated, open source and allows for freedom of expression.

The issue with the current urban setup is the lack of flexibility which citizens have in creatively expressing and humanising their urban landscape. The lack of participation of citizens with their visual built environment creates a detachment between occupants and their setting and therefore minimises the opportunity for social interaction and self‐expression. Furthermore our built infrastructure needs radical modernisation to keep up to date with society and culture. This doesn’t automatically mean a physical reconfiguration and re‐development of the built environment, but actually an initiation of new uses induced into everyday environments to show how current digital culture can re‐energise and claim territory in completely new ways.

The main focus of concern for this new paradigm of visual augmentation lies in the potential possibilities for incorporating new social experiences into the built environment which can transcend the physical limitations of built infrastructure and the hierarchies who govern our visual and social experiences. The use of augmented reality technology in the architectural practice has potential to go beyond visualisation of information and into the creation of new meaningful spaces of interaction and discourse. These new locations can exist parallel to the physical environment by reclaiming existing architecture to augment through new uses and programs.

Detonator: Augmented Reality Playgrounds (Public Gaming)

Detonator: Augmented Reality Playgrounds from SAHAR FIKOUHI on Vimeo.



An interactive game installation is proposed across a number of sites in London, by introducing a social game intervention known as “Detonator”. The game design is configured based on key data relating to the use of landmines during war in many regions of the world, as well as the continued refusal of countries that have not joined an international convention to ban the use of landmines. This data is mapped on a spatial route around a shame pole marking structure which provides participants with information and interaction with gaming elements through an augmented reality application. A Mine Kafon is utilised in this interactive playground to serve as a mine detonator which is guided by the participants throughout the AR landscape in the quest for full eradication. The main goal of this project is to create gaming hot spots which utilize augmented reality to transform the city into a series of interactive playgrounds. This ideally responds to the cultural/social and political conditions of the site to create an installation which will be a contextually relevant to the area and make visible the underlining political concerns of the site.

             

The integration of technology which merges virtual data onto physical space has been deployed increasing in recent times. Furthermore the amalgamation of augmented reality technology into our visual perception beyond the limitations of mobile screens is already under construction through a multitude of wearable computing solutions in the form of glasses and lenses embedded with the necessary computing and tracking performance. The main focus of concern for this new paradigm of visual augmentation lies in the potential possibilities for incorporating new social experiences into the built environment which can transcend the physical limitations of built infrastructure and the hierarchies who govern our visual and social experiences. The use of augmented reality technology in the architectural practice has potential to go beyond visualisation of information and into the creation of new meaningful spaces of interaction and discourse.  These new locations can exist parallel to the physical environment by reclaiming existing spaces to augment through new uses and programs. To enhance social activities and public expression in architectural spaces we can augment the environment with interactions which merge reality with digital practices that occur so often on social networking platforms.  AR systems obey the open source principles, low capital costs and easily enhanced with human interaction and expertise. In this way the augmented reality architecture is a constantly developing system which can advance with mass involvement. An open architecture which is easily updated and regenerated based on growing and developing knowledge and expertise.  Mixed reality lets us create architecture which isn’t invasive in the real world and doesn’t take up any physical space or material. AR provides a relevant method for choosing how to experience the built environment, as opposed to your experience being wholly guided by one hierarchical system. Furthermore AR has social consequences which can change the way we inhabit space to create time based architecture which allows for increased interaction in the public domain. Working with augmented reality provides a new outlet for reclaiming parts of an urban environment to provide a new use of space which is non-regulated, open source and social. In this way AR promotes free use of space, self-expression and occupancy in the quest for a responsive and adaptive public social space.

  

AR environments need to address key characteristics which go beyond architectural criteria such as shelter, aesthetics and environmental conditions. This new hybrid space must offer uses that transcend the limitations of material architecture. The strength of this architecture allows for integration with the local or global network which provides uses beyond the local amenities of the site.  From an architectural perspective, the potential of AR provides an infrastructure which can be accessed globally through the integration of participatory engagement with various online portals. This architecture becomes a hybrid system which is completely location specific, but is able to be accessed through an open network for increased participation and information.

Hybrid space combines the use of the World Wide Web to give people the power to be open source, it gives us the control to take over space and introduce new communities into the built environment as part of a network distributed media which allows us to share information in a much more open manner. Hybrid space allows us to use social media and online communities to also change the use of space and provide new programmes into everyday environments as a form of time based architecture which connects and represents a community across the World Wide Web.  People can share art and information in public spaces to reach a location specific audience which would often be impossible to reclaim in physical space alone. In augmented reality, space can be viewed as an open, free, communal domain which is altered and controlled by the public. The interactive qualities of the hybrid space allow people to contribute to the experience of their landscape which can provide an array of personalities, configurations to each location and presumably create a closer bond with their surroundings. The significance of hybrid space becomes elevated through an integration of responsive/ intelligent characteristics embedded within the environment which can understand the requirements of inhabitants individually. This architecture can cater for the changing needs of occupants through functionalities which can be switched on and off, as well as understanding your spatial locations, preferences and social networks. In this way, hybrid space represents a true vision of time based architecture which continually adjusts to user occupancy.

The creation of hybrid space consists of mixed reality applications which are integrated into the everyday environments in the form of invisible, intangible interfaces which connect to buildings or spaces to create new locations of social engagement and interaction.  This methodology defines architecture which is not simply designed through computation but more so one which becomes computation through a fusion of social, physical and electronic entities.  The superimposition of virtual and physical space provides a method for exploring the way in which we connect to buildings based on the user’s requirements.   This new environment becomes a form of hybrid architecture which requires ubiquitous computing to mediate the two dimensions.  

In hybrid space the architecture is no longer focused on fixed programmes, but more on how we utilise buildings and urban environment as shells or envelopes and superimpose new activities. Architectural spaces need to provide a multiplicity of uses; they have to be kept open, especially in dense urban context where the turnover, change, human progression/activities is fast. Furthermore in times of economic uncertainty, the possibilities to redevelop or construct a new structure to accommodate new uses become more difficult. The development of technology however, has a critical role in changing the way people communicate and view society, as well as how it can transform the way businesses deliver services and engage with the public. In augmented reality space, it becomes possible to advance the needs for social progression using new ways of inhabitation which is flexible to occupants.  This flexibility is integral to the core essence of hybrid space, which allows people to inhabit buildings for a multitude of different tasks. The inclusion of augmented space within material architecture allows buildings to become hubs of cross disciplinary activity, possibly eliminating the need for single use buildings and satisfying the need for new infrastructure in a much more sustainable manner.

Fundamentally the benefit of hybrid space addresses how architecture can respond to frequent change; this involves change regarding social, environmental, and political factors. Moreover the introduction of an augmented layer into the built environment considers how architecture’s significance changes in relation to its context. The hybridity of material and digital space allow for architecture to embrace cultural and social shifts and accommodate flexible and adaptive design strategies.

Detonator: Augmented Reality Gaming, Design Drawings

Grid: Augmented Reality Gaming

Grid is an Augmented Reality environment which provides a spatial configuration for real-time gaming at an architectural scale. This project showcases a prototype of the AR environment devised at one to one scale to test the possibilities of augmented reality in the built environment. The project uses a simple architectural maze which people can navigate through in real-time.  The prototype was developed for the iphone using Qualcomm Augmented Reality SDK and Xcode.

This project aims to explore new ways of inhabiting and interacting in social spaces. To enhance social activities in architectural spaces we can augment the space with interactions which merge reality with digital practices which occur on social networking platforms. More people partaking in the augmented space results in a much more dynamic environment and heightened social engagement. To propose a new way of experiencing and circulating through the city, an architectural playground that allows for increased social engagement with the building and the objects within.  These include gaming hot spots which utilize mixed reality to transform the city with interactive playgrounds

The use of augmented reality technology in architecture was evaluated in light of creating new meaningful spaces of interaction and discourse which can be non-regulated, open source and allow for freedom of expression.  The future of AR provides us with several possibilities on how virtual architecture can impact on urban space. This technology presents a new methodology for implementing some of the key ideas on temporality, and adaptation, social participation and improvisation in the quest for achieving democratic alternatives to occupation and inhabitation in public space.  The synthesis of AR and physical space has a profound impact on shaping human interaction in the same manner as the internet and mobile phones have in recent times. Moreover the overlay of data onto our visual experience fosters new levels of engagement which can radically transcend the limitations of stationary screen based information.  The quest for hybrid spaces of the future should mediate the superimposition of digital and physical in a way which can enrich the experience and inhabitation of the occupants in a site specific manner. This technological liberation should provide citizens with new forms of expression and an extension to the physical, social and cultural characteristics of a location..