Leading proptech company Enviz is revolutionising the residential design and construction industry through its partnership with Hall & Hart, a well-known design and construction firm specialising in knockdown rebuilds in Sydney. This collaboration brings a groundbreaking approach to home design, providing clients with an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience that greatly enhances visualisation and decision-making.
Traditionally, residential design has relied heavily on 2D plans and 3D renderings, which often fall short of providing clients with a true sense of their future home. Recognising this gap, Hall & Hart have integrated Enviz’s VR technology into their offering, giving customers a fully immersive and interactive design experience from the initial sketches to the final model. This approach has significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of the design process.
“Not everyone can visualise from a 2D drawing, and even from a 3D drawing, our customers often struggle to really see what the end product will look like,” said Craig Sutton, General Manager of Hall & Hart. “Our goal is to help homeowners visualise their future home as best they can, as early as they can. This minimises the risk of disappointment or dissatisfaction and costly rework later in the process.”
Addressing these challenges, Enviz’s platform provides property professionals with the tools to better visualise, experience, and showcase their unbuilt properties. By allowing homeowners to walk through their home designs in a fully immersive VR environment, Enviz brings a new level of detail and realism, enabling them to explore their homes in real-time, make informed decisions, and avoid costly changes down the line.
“Customers can walk around their house in their own time, show friends and family, get their feedback, and consolidate their thinking. This level of detail just isn’t possible with traditional plans,” Craig detailed. “For us, VR is a real workhorse in getting the design resolved and issues worked out before we move too far into the process.”
Hall & Hart provide clients with a comprehensive walkthrough guide. Clients are encouraged to walk around the block and check the placement of elements such as gas meters and water tanks. Inside, they can evaluate window sizes and other details.
“We had one client who actually sat in his bathtub within the VR model to determine the view from the window,” said Craig. “He realised he wanted the window changed so he’d get a better view out of the bathtub. This level of customisation and attention to detail is only possible through using Enviz’s VR technology.”
Craig highlights a recent project on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where the positive impact of VR technology saved budgets and heartache. “After walking through the VR model, the client decided to remove a separate living area that was cramping the open-plan section. This early change, made possible by the VR experience, saved us from making costly adjustments later in the build.”
“This change could have taken three to five months to identify without VR, leading to significant time and cost implications for both us and the client,” Craig noted. “Time is money, and being able to make updates quickly and identify challenges early has been a game-changer for our business and our clients.”
Enviz’s platform is completely mobile, allowing property developers, sales agents, and buyers to engage on-site or off-site, in-person or remotely, in real-time. This flexibility is further enhanced by the platform’s compatibility with VR headsets, mobile devices, and web browsers, making it accessible anywhere, anytime.
“As the demand for personalised and high-quality home design grows, the integration of AR and VR technology is becoming essential. Our partnership with Hall & Hart demonstrates how innovative tools can significantly enhance both the client experience and the design process,” said Michael Shaw, CEO of Enviz. “We are excited to lead this transformation in the industry and set a new standard for residential design and construction.”
Craig echoed these sentiments. “Every build faces similar challenges. The improvements we’ve seen with VR technology are substantial and would benefit the entire industry. Clients increasingly expect customisation and a high-quality experience. As awareness of these services grows, it will become almost a requirement for builders to offer VR technology to meet customer expectations.”
