Yu Chun Huang · CLIENT: Y. C. Huang Design
Arid is an augmented reality application for interior remodeling. Arid runs on a mixed reality headset and allows users to view new materials on the walls, ceiling and floor of a real room. The space is first scanned to create a three-dimensional model with spatial anchors. Virtual walls are then attached to these anchors, and paint colors, tiles or transparency can be applied. Preset virtual furniture can be added and moved with hand gestures. Arid reduces the need for physical samples and small screens.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Remodeling a home can be overwhelming, especially when visualizing materials like tiles and paint in an existing space. Traditional 3D CAD often limit the design experience to tiny 2D screens. ARID creates an immersive experience, allowing users to seamlessly blend virtual designs with the real world through AR/VR headsets. In just minutes, users can customize exisiting walls, explore materials, and arrange virtual furniture—all using intuitive hand gestures, fully integrated with the space.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The ARID application is designed and implemented by Unity and operated by AR/VR headset Quest 3.
- Tags
- Augmented Reality, mixed realtiy, Meta, interior design, arhcitecture design, remodel
- Production Technology
- We developed ARID on the Unity platform, utilizing Meta's Mixed Reality Utility Kit and Quest 3 for its enhanced AR/MX capabilities. The project includes four key components: 1) Room scanning to acquire spatial anchors for walls, ceilings, and floors; 2) Generating virtual walls attached to these anchors; 3) A hand-based user interface enabling material changes (e.g., tiles, paint, or transparency); 4) A furniture interface to add preset furniture. We integrated the existing environment by using the OVR camera’s passthrough mode, allowing transparent materials to reveal the physical space behind virtual objects.
- Design Challenge
- The ARID system utilizes a VR headset to precisely measure room dimensions, crucial for accurate design interventions. When applying tiles, ARID calculates the wall size and tile dimensions to ensure perfect fit without stretching. Traditional methods using small color swatches or tile samples often fall short, as they can't replicate the full effect of materials in a fully decorated room. ARID overcomes these limitations by integrating VR's immersive experience with AR's ability to incorporate details of the physical environment, including natural lighting. This advanced integration allows users to see how materials and designs look under various lighting conditions, providing a significant advantage over traditional CAD systems and leading to more informed decisions and satisfying results.
- Project Duration
- The project started in June 2024 in Hanover, NH and finished in September, 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The ARID system enables users to remodel a bathroom by integrating AR/VR technology. The user wears a headset and holds a left-hand controller, with a floating user interface attached to the controller. Interaction is seamless: users control the UI and the physical environment using intuitive right-hand gestures. Upon entering the bathroom, the user scans the space to create a detailed 3D model. With the left-hand controller, they can select elements like walls, ceilings, or floors, and change their materials—whether it’s switching paint colors, applying tiles, or making them transparent to see through the original wall. Additionally, the user can add virtual furniture and intuitively manipulate its position or rotation with hand gestures like grabbing and pinching, making the remodeling process highly interactive and immersive.
- Research
- In architectural remodeling projects, design methods have evolved from physical models and computer-aided design (CAD) to Virtual Reality (VR) and phone-based Augmented Reality (AR). CAD enables designers to create 2D and 3D building models to visualize and simulate designs before construction. VR allows users to immerse themselves in a virtual 3D space, enhancing the design experience. Current phone-based AR apps, like the IKEA app, let users simulate adding virtual furniture to their actual living spaces. However, these apps are limited by small screens, offering a less comprehensive view of potential results. Moreover, interior remodeling involves not just furniture replacement but also adjustments to materials (tiles) and colors (paint). The challenge is creating a system that enhances the remodeling experience, particularly for material and color adjustments. The proposed ARID system will integrate the advantages of VR and AR for interior design, with a focus on bathroom remodeling. It enables users to visualize final results by adjusting wall materials and more effectively integrates with the physical environment than current 3D CAD systems can.
- Inspiration
- When people remodel their homes, it’s not just about adjusting the layout or changing materials—everyone envisions their dream room with specific color tones and tile preferences. Traditional design tools like 2D CAD and 3D simulations often fall short in providing a realistic representation. ARID enables users to visualize their designs in real-time, overlaying virtual materials onto physical walls, incorporating natural lighting, and reducing the need for physical samples.
- Patents
- Submitting to patent
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