AR / VR

How VR and AR are transforming the world of energy and resources

New design technologies give you the ability to, quite literally, see into the future of your project

By Shane Goosney and Jason Carter

Almost a hundred years ago, the world of work was shifting radically as Americans became city dwellers, automobile owners, and office workers. Today, we’re amid anther dramatic upheaval in work. A new generation of workers who have grown up with digital technology—using computers online for their entire adult lives—are stepping into the working world, and a new set of expectations and preferences is emerging and reshaping the office. Technology is pushing innovation in the workplace. But its consequences are still emerging—making it worthwhile to periodically evaluate the trends shaping the new office.

Flexibility for a workplace that’s always evolving Designing a future-ready and flexible facility is more important than ever in this time of change. The office must be designed to be flexible so that it can change for daily and weekly needs with built-in adaptability over the long-term. Increasingly, we need to be aware that things change in unpredictable ways and the influence of technology, for example, doesn’t resolve as it first presents. For example, not long ago it seemed that destops and monitors were going away, but now massive monitors are emerging as the preference. Despite the availability of small portable technology, big screens are in. Culture and data-driven design There have been many articles published over the past couple of years on the pros and cons of open workspace. The only point of clarity from that raging debate is that open office isn’t for everyone. It’s important to understand what organizations do, how their employees like to work, and what makes them happy doing it. More than ever, observation and research of the workplace on site must inform our design innovations so that the workplace ultimately reflects the client’s culture and supports its business strategy. Design must strike a delicate balance between incorporating existing culture while embracing new ways of working. Furthermore, how we educate our clients to best use their spaces (otherwise known as change management) is critical in matching culture and new workplace.

The one constant in the workplace is

change

Branding Branding throughout the office, not just the entryway and lobby, is emerging as a key aspect of office design. That’s because the audience for branding can be both internal or external today. Every client has a past, present, and future, as well as heritage, culture and values. As design professionals they look to us to help create a space and brand that reflects their narrative best. In our tech-enabled era, experiencing the brand itself takes an increasingly important role in reflecting culture, mission and morale, giving people reasons to want to come into the office every day and to connect their individual work to a greater purpose. Lobbies as multipurpose and showcase spaces Where can a firm host a Thursday happy hour or a massive annual holiday party with its clients? The lobby! Once a little used, transitory void, the lobby has re-emerged as a showcase space for many companies. We’re designing the lobby as ‘gathering space’ that can be flexible workspace for visitors, guests and staff, then switch to event, all-hands meeting or party space as needed. Homelike and hospitality-inspired options The tech industry and its open, collaborative offices changed the way we look at offices. But it’s the emergence of the homelike and hospitality-inspired elements of workplace that are defining design today. A big part of this shift relates to offering a variety of options in seating and work style ranging from formal and informal collaborative to focused and heads-down and private meeting space. Wellness and fitness Healthy food options, natural light and air quality, spaces that allow for movement, even standing desks are all part of a new standard in office design that, when employed wisely in design, creates places that enhance our well-being. As we design with the welfare of end users in mind, we help reiterate that the company is looking out for their office users’ best interests. If the users are st up to live their best and healthiest lives, then that will be reflected in their productivity which allows the company to flourish. War for talent New generations entering the workplace want to work for innovative companies. They want flexibility. They want to tap into digital culture for inspiration. They want the opportunity to keep learning. They want a company that reflects their values and provides a space that reflects the way they live. Thus, designed spaces must have the mix of amenities, aesthetics, flexible spaces, light, and air that help employers compete for the best, brightest and most selective talent. In many cases, the quality of the office environment and its ability to attract talent can be directly connected to corporate success and innovation. It’s all about the people!

Homelike and hospitality-inspired options The tech industry and its open, collaborative offices changed the way we look at offices. But it’s the emergence of the homelike and hospitality-inspired elements of workplace that are defining design today. A big part of this shift relates to offering a variety of options in seating and work style ranging from formal and informal collaborative to focused and heads-down and private meeting space.

Smart buildings, smart office The smart office and building. Smart spaces will connect to users through seamless tech and apps—everything from room reservations to audio-video conferencing, desk and room reservations, climate control and lighting, elevator access and security will be intelligent and personalized for the user. But smart building benefits go beyond the individual employee. On the owner and employer side, detailed data on building and room use allows for better decision making about investment and office design going forward. And that means continuous evolution and improvement in design and operation. And when design automation connects into smart building infrastructure, the possibilities for the future of workplace are unlimited. Now that makes for an interesting future. Smart buildings technology is here to stay. One of the most tangible benefits of smart technology is reduced energy use (or production) with sensor data informing operators and users about building efficiency and use. But smart buildings can do more. They can also foster connections with people in the workplace to provide a better user-experience. Picture this: You enter the building after parking your bike or car in a space reserved prior to arrival. The building senses your presence via an app on your smart device. At the elevator lobby, an elevator is waiting to take you to the location of your morning meeting. In the meeting room, the blinds are drawn, the room temperature is set to your preference, and the audio-visual and video conferencing set up is enabled and your clients in New York, London or Beijing are ready to greet you and start the meeting. After your meeting you return to an office or a workstation, whether it’s assigned or unassigned, and your personalized desk height, lighting and thermal comfort settings are pre-set. This technology-enabled exper-ience can also be programmed for clients and guests on their next visit. The office of the future. Seamless. Personalized. Smart.

BPX Energy Denver, Colorado

117 Kendrick Street Needham, Massachusetts

What’s next?

MORE WORKPLACE DESIGN Interior Designer Helen Reed, based in San Francisco, is passionate about applying influences from the digital realm to designing spaces that meet today’s corporate workplace needs. Chicago-based Angie Lee applies three decades of experience in leading teams on workplace strategy and headquarters design solutions to her role with the Stantec's Commercial Workplace Sector.

It makes us better communicators What would you find more useful and engaging: watching a lengthy PowerPoint presentation describing a proposed project with text and images, or putting on a VR headset to review an accurate visualization of the project’s end stage? The ability to, quite literally, see into the future of your project is an invaluable asset. Furthermore, you can utilize AR to send interactive, virtual 3D models to clients to facilitate real-time design reviews. The client would have the ability to spin the model 360 degrees, add comments, view specific data points, and more. This offers a fresh perspective on viewing complex data, eases the difficulties of working around language barriers, and leaves very little room for interpretation from a technical standpoint. From simply looking at the 3D model, everyone can tell exactly what it is and can see exactly where it needs to be improved. This technology can also lead to improved community engagement. When explaining a complex project to stakeholders who have little-to-no technical knowledge of your industry, it can often be difficult for them to understand the details by looking at flat maps and 2D graphics. Providing them with a virtual experience not only leads to better understanding, but can also generate a new level of interest by leveraging technology that people are both familiar with and enjoy using.

It can lead to enhanced safety Safety always comes first in the energy and resources sector, especially at mine sites where it’s a priority to mitigate hazards. The use of AR/VR has enormous potential to improve safety records. A VR simulation can replicate a mine showing potentially hazardous environments and situations. Employees could then be trained on how to handle these incidents entirely from the safety of an office. The system can be programmed to walk the employee through all the necessary steps for each specific situation and if they skip a step, the system would prompt them to go back and try again. This same process can be used to train employees on how to operate heavy equipment before having to step foot out into the field. Studies have shown that immersive virtual learning experiences are entirely more memorable and effective than simply watching a training video. Additionally, AR lenses can be attached to hardhats and used by onsite workers to scan their environments and display real-time data right in front of their eyes. This is especially useful in situations with limited visibility. The AR glasses can identify objects and potential hazards in front of the user or assist them in finding their way out of a mine or tunnel.

The technology is more accessible than you might think There are several different VR and AR devices in today’s market, spanning a large range of prices, that provide differing levels of immersion, graphics quality, and mobility. Of course, price and quality often go together, but it’s worth noting that prices will drop as this technology becomes more mainstream and as the market becomes saturated with competitors. In fact, some of the more high-end devices are already on a downward pricing trend¹. Regarding ease of use, there is software available that can do most of the hard work for you, in terms of converting designs into 3D models. Essentially, you can upload a drawing into a software application and let the computer perform all the difficult rendering. The ability to go more in-depth and add striking visuals or animations are also options. Once this technology becomes integrated into your workflow and included as part of your budget, the cost becomes an afterthought compared to the value added. When you consider the savings resulting from reduced approval times, utilizing virtual models rather than sending employees and investors to the project site, and reducing the number of onsite accidents by conducting virtual trainings, it’s reasonable to say that VR/AR pays for itself in the long run.

What’s really the difference?

Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality

Virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulation. VR headsets are designed to provide a totally immersive experience by blocking out your natural surroundings and manipulating your senses to transport you to a different environment.and add striking visuals or animations are also options.

Augmented reality keeps you in the real world while bringing virtual elements into your environment. This can be done in two different ways, through AR glasses or by using a smart device, both of which project a hologram that appears in the space.

The energy and resources sector, and in nearly every industry in fact, is undergoing a massive transformation in the wake of increasingly widespread adoption of AR and VR technology. Its use can lead to improved communications, enhanced safety, more effective training, and increased efficiency, which in turn saves time and money. The result? A technological revolution on a scale comparable to the invention of the computer that will permanently change the way we work.

This technology is here to stay The VR/AR revolution is not going to happen—it’s currently happening. Businesses around the world are already taking full advantage of this technology to improve the way people live and work. And this won’t be just a passing trend. The global VR/AR market is expected to be worth more than $94 billion by 2023². Most experts agree that one day it will become so mainstream, we will wonder how we ever got along without it, similar to how we now view our smartphones.

Immersive virtual learning experiences are entirely more memorable and effective than simply watching a training video.

Wondering how you can keep up with the latest trends? The simplest answer is to actively pay attention. Watch television, listen to the radio, talk to peers, and scour the news to learn about the market. Also, don’t hesitate to look outside your own industry to discover innovative ways to use AR and VR. See what others are doing and tailor their practices to fit your needs. This technology is constantly evolving, and, as it continues to find its footing in the world of energy and resources, the best time to begin familiarizing yourself with it and taking steps to incorporate it into your business is now; you may soon find that you can’t afford to wait.

Artificial Reality is only one technology impacting the global energy market. Explore more thoughts, trends, and insights in our Energy & Resources Advisor (ERA).