A cloud-based integration of Building Information Modeling and Virtual Reality through game engine to facilitate the design of Age-in-Place homes at the conceptual stage

Abstract

While the Canadian population ages, designers are encountering new challenges that significantly affect the design of new houses. This demographic shift will impose major changes in the demand for housing toward more adaptable and specialized homes that require designers to develop new strategic design solutions. Presently, the main challenge to designers when creating age-in-place houses is lacking the knowledge about the requirements of that type of homes. Therefore, this study describes the development of a Semi-automated computer model that offers designers and users a unique opportunity to do real-time simulation in an interactive environment while enhancing the communication and interaction between owners and designers to meet inhabitants' needs by reducing future modifications and alterations of houses to age in them. The said model is a cloud-based integration between BIM, Universal Design (UD), Age-in-Place (AIP) design requirements, and Virtual Reality (VR) that allows owners to be engaged in the design process at the early stage to achieve efficient outcomes.