Enhancing Architectural Visualization with AR: A Unity and Vuforia Approach

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative technology with significant potential applications in various domains. In the field of architectural visualization, AR offers new avenues for design, communication, and education. This research paper explores the development and implementation of an Android application built using Unity and Vuforia, aimed at showcasing 3D models of houses on image-based targets. The paper begins with a comprehensive literature review, highlighting the role of AR in architectural education and urban planning. It delves into the integration of building information modelling (BIM) and AR for urban planning and discusses the use of AR to enhance architectural history education. The paper also covers interactive AR systems for architectural visualization and their potential for real-time collaboration. Case studies showcase uses of the application in architectural projects, user feedback, and its impact on design communication and education. The methodology section provides insights into the technical aspects of the application, including image recognition and tracking algorithms, 3D modelling, and rendering techniques. Results and analysis focus on evaluating the applications performance, accuracy, and user satisfaction in comparison with traditional visualization methods, it also explores the implications of the research findings, emphasizing the advantages and limitations of the application and its contributions to architectural visualization. In conclusion, this research highlights the significance of the application in architectural practice, offering a novel approach to design communication and education. The paper concludes with future work recommendations, suggesting areas for further research, development, and enhancement of the applications capabilities.