What can you do with AR in architecture? Explaining the benefits and precautions for beginners

Table of Contents

• The basic mechanisms of AR and characteristics of its application in architecture

• Major functions achievable with AR and concrete examples

• Benefits of AR: on-site effects and expected improvements

• Points to note about AR and precautions to take when introducing it

• Transformations AR enables on construction sites

• Accurate position recognition determines the effectiveness of AR implementation

Many companies and managers in the construction industry may be starting to take an interest in the use of AR (augmented reality) technology. However, relatively few people have a concrete understanding of how AR works and what can actually be done on construction sites. In particular, personnel at small and medium-sized construction firms often have only a vague impression that "AR is some kind of amazing cutting‑edge technology," and find it difficult to form a concrete image of "what can be achieved on our sites."

In this article, aimed at beginners who have a basic knowledge of AR, we clearly explain what can be achieved by using AR on construction sites and the points to be aware of when introducing it.

Basic mechanisms of AR and characteristics of its use in architecture

The term "AR" is an abbreviation for "Augmented Reality." It is a technology that overlays three-dimensional digital information onto the live view of the real world seen through the camera of devices such as smartphones, tablets, or specialized head-mounted displays.

The use of AR on construction sites leverages this basic mechanism to overlay architectural drawings and construction planning information onto the actual construction site or building. For example, it enables visual confirmation on the actual site of information such as what shape the completed building will take, at what height in m (ft) above the ground walls will be, and what kinds of piping will be buried underground.

This feature is what makes it markedly different from checking with conventional drawings or computer screens alone. When looking at a drawing, workers must mentally visualize the three-dimensional shape that the drawing represents. However, by using AR, that visualization process becomes unnecessary, enabling everyone to visually perceive the same information in the same way.

Key Features and Concrete Examples Enabled by AR

At construction sites, the following specific functions can be realized using AR.

First, there is 3D visualization of design drawings. By displaying the two-dimensional information on drawings on-site as three-dimensional images, it becomes possible to intuitively understand complex shapes and spatial arrangements. For example, when checking the shape of a roof with a complex slope, it can be difficult to grasp from drawings alone, but when viewed in AR the shape becomes immediately clear.

Second, there is management of construction progress. Displaying information on site via AR—such as how far the current project has been completed and what work should be performed next—can align the entire workforce’s understanding.

Third, there is the provision of safety information. By visually indicating hazardous areas, scaffold height limits, crane operating ranges, and the like with AR, you can prevent workers from inadvertently entering those dangerous areas.

Fourth, there is a check for interference with existing facilities. By displaying invisible information, such as existing underground piping and distances to surrounding buildings, in AR, you can reduce unexpected responses during the construction phase.

Benefits of AR: On-site Effects and Anticipated Improvements

The benefits of introducing AR on construction sites are wide-ranging.

The first benefit is an improvement in construction quality. Errors caused by interpreting design drawings are reduced, and the likelihood that the executed work matches the design intent increases. Traditionally, when construction deviations occur, they are often detected after completion or in the later stages of the project, and corrective work has required significant time and cost. By using AR, errors can be discovered early and countermeasures implemented, leading to a reduction in rework.

The next advantage is a shortening of the construction period. By checking the design drawings with AR before the start of each phase, preparation time is reduced and coordination between phases proceeds more smoothly. In particular, when work by multiple trades is progressing simultaneously, if interference checks can be carried out in advance with AR, sudden changes during the construction phase are reduced and the overall construction period tends to be shortened.

The third advantage is improved safety. Providing hazard information to workers through AR reduces the risk of workplace accidents. In particular, on complex construction sites it can be difficult to ensure that workers understand all hazards, but AR's visual presentation of information streamlines this communication.

The fourth benefit is improved communication efficiency. When designers, contractors, and workers from multiple trades hold meetings while viewing the same AR images, linguistic misunderstandings are reduced. This decreases unnecessary on-site discussions and increases the time spent on actual work.

Precautions for AR and Points to Consider When Implementing It

There are many benefits to implementing AR, but there are also considerations to be aware of.

The first point to note is the technical limitations. The accuracy of AR displays depends on the precision of positioning. In outdoor open environments, relatively high accuracy can be expected, but indoors or in environments with many tall buildings nearby, positioning errors can become large. In such environments, AR-displayed information may become misaligned with the actual on-site location, reducing its usefulness.

The next point to note is the initial investment cost. Introducing AR requires a certain investment in software licenses, device purchases, and on-site setup and adjustments. Careful consideration before implementation is necessary to ensure that these costs do not exceed the expected benefits.

The third point to note is the adaptation period for workers. Introducing new technology requires training and time for workers to become proficient. At first, the introduction of AR may actually make work feel more cumbersome. From a long-term perspective, it is important to proceed with a phased implementation and continuous improvement.

The fourth point of concern is the complexity of data management. The drawings and project information displayed in AR must always be kept up to date. If design changes occur and the process for timely reflecting that information on site is not functioning properly, there is a risk that construction will proceed based on outdated information.

Transformations AR Enables on Construction Sites

The introduction of AR on construction sites is not merely a technological adoption; it has the potential to transform the work processes themselves. By shifting construction sites—which have traditionally relied heavily on the two-dimensional medium of drawings—toward the provision of three-dimensional, spatial information, significant improvements in operational efficiency and quality standards can be realized.

However, for this transformation to be realized, it is necessary not only to introduce AR applications but also to simultaneously review on-site organizational culture, operational processes, and management structures. Only when both the new technology and the organizational structures that support it are in place can the true value of AR be realized.

Accurate position recognition determines the effectiveness of AR adoption

All of the features described so far that can be realized with AR assume accurate positional awareness. In particular, accurately recognizing complex shapes and spatial layouts, as discussed in "3D visualization of design drawings," and precisely determining the locations of unseen pipes and structures, as discussed in "interference checks with existing facilities," are difficult to achieve without high-precision positioning.

At construction sites, where indoor and outdoor areas often coexist and the surrounding environment is frequently complex, errors of several meters are not uncommon with a smartphone’s standard GPS. Introducing an iPhone-mounted GNSS high-precision positioning device is highly effective for addressing these challenges.

This device receives signals simultaneously from multiple satellite systems and can determine position with high precision at the centimeter level (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)), allowing AR-displayed design drawings to be precisely overlaid on the site. As a result, all the benefits of AR—improved construction quality, shorter construction schedules, enhanced safety, and improved communication efficiency—can be realized concretely for the first time.

Therefore, for construction companies considering the adoption of AR, high-precision positioning devices are not merely optional equipment but an essential element for the successful implementation of AR.