Introduction
360 virtual tour architecture has become commonplace in many industries because of its innovative solutions for showcasing products. 3D virtual tours began in the real estate industries, allowing real estate agencies to showcase properties to potential clients who lived miles away. The technology was revolutionary because it meant agents could sell more homes and didn’t have to give physical tours of properties every single time a potential client wanted to make inquiries. Today, 3D virtual tours have spread to hospitality and travel, medicine, education, eCommerce, healthcare, event planning, and architecture. Let’s explore how architectural 3D virtual tours have revolutionized these and other industries.
The Impact of Architectural 3D Virtual Tours on Industries
Real Estate: The real estate industry was the first to witness the power of 3D virtual reality tours. With the technology, prospective buyers can explore listings, check out properties, and enjoy a real-life 3D tour of the property, including aerial views of the surrounding community, layout, utilities, building structure, and so much more. Now, potential clients can make an informed decision to purchase a property (or not to) without entering the property.
Retail: Retail and eCommerce businesses use 3D technology to create an immersive experience for their businesses for customers. Now, customers can get a tour of business buildings, explore products, and make purchase decisions without touching the product.
Gaming: While gaming is slightly different from the conventional virtual tour, they still align in processes. 3D gaming allows for an immersive gaming experience through virtual reality programs, virtual worlds, where players can explore and interact with expansive interfaces and ecosystems, and open-world games, which utilize traditional virtual tour technology models to allow players to roam, explore, and experience adventure in 3D.
Hospitality and Travel: The travel and hospitality industries use 3D virtual tours to showcase locations, hotel rooms, and the aesthetics of hotel buildings. Now, customers can appreciate a city’s beauty, explore the texture of bed sheets, experience wildlife, and enjoy cuisines in luxury restaurants without ever being there. A 360 virtual tour can become the backbone of traditional marketing in the hospitality and travel industry.
Education: 3D virtual tours enhance learning experiences and improve training. For example, history students can take a virtual tour of cultural and historical sites without traveling. Art students can explore the Mona Lisa painting without visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Students in the US can witness and learn advanced surgical techniques from instructors in China. With virtual tours, the boundaries of space and time become smaller.
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industries:
Architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) companies leverage the innovative power of 3D tours to present design and architectural models to stakeholders in a construction project. Before the 3D tours, architects, engineers, and construction workers often clashed needlessly because they didn’t have a complete or thorough vision of the project. With 3D virtual tours, stakeholders, including clients, know what to expect from a project before it begins. Other advantages include:
- Reduction of clashes between different sets of professionals handling a project.
- Aversion of overlaps: Overlaps can become expensive and sometimes deadly. For example, with 3D virtual tours and 3D rendering services, the electrical department will know when to lay electrical pipes and wiring and will not lay pipes on dangerous outlays. The interaction between all stakeholders makes everyone accountable and makes it easier for a project manager to determine when and how each team should work.
- Cost-effective: Architectural 3D tours used to be expensive, but with more common tools and technologies, access to global talents, and competition, it’s easy for an investor to hire an affordable yet qualified architectural 3D expert for a building project.
Automotive: Car dealerships use 3D virtual tours to showcase a vehicle’s interior and exterior, pan in on car parts, and educate potential clients on its functionalities. Buyers, in turn, can appreciate the aesthetic and functionality of automobiles remotely.
Workspaces: A company that rents or leases workspaces can use 3D virtual tours to showcase the interior, exterior, and surroundings of its corporate offices. These tours give immersive experiences of coworking spaces, conference rooms, private offices, car parks, paintings, and the complete physical layout of a building.
Conclusion
Architectural 3D virtual tours give an immersive experience of physical buildings, products, and spaces, allowing companies to showcase their inventory in a stylized and more innovative way. Customers get to experience what companies have to offer and make informed decisions based on their experiences before they purchase. For companies, they get to integrate innovative practices that lead to higher conversions and improved profit margins.
Author:
Aimee S. Marshall
Aimee is a seasoned digital artist and design enthusiast who is passionate about creating stunning visuals. With over a decade of experience in 3D rendering and design, she has worked on projects spanning various industries, from architecture and interior design to product visualization and advertising. Aimee shares her expertise and insights through writing, mentoring, and speaking engagements, aiming to inspire others in the dynamic world of 3D rendering and design.