ISCTE-IUL Virtual Campus

This project aims at developing a 3D digital model of the ISCTE-IUL campus and surrounding areas. The model enables visualisation both in immersive virtual reality (PocketCAVE and Oculus Rift) and in augmented reality ARch4models app. A comprehensive model allows a deep perception of space both by regular users and occasional visitors and offers the means to support immersive visualisation of the campus aiding decision-makers shape its future evolution. The PocketCAVE virtual reality facility supports visualisation in groups, with interaction through gesture and speech while the Oculus Rift provides a similar, but individual, more immersive experience.

Augmented reality enables the visualisation of the full 3D model in a tablet, with the ability to perform cross sections with any orientation in real time. With the Arch4models app, the 3D model can be overlaid on a physical 3D model allowing the simulation of design alternatives. This technology is particularly well suited for presentations to small groups. In all these augmented and virtual reality apps, users can visualise the 3D model by layers, with each layer representing a different construction system: architectural features, structural system, MEP systems, furniture, etc. With this project we aim at demonstrating the possibilities these technologies bring to several areas of action, namely, on the visualisation of the built environments and discussion and evaluation of design projects.

Tiago Pedro, Luís Coroado, Ricardo Miguel, Guida Ramos

This project was partially funded by the ISCTE-IUL Rectory.