2. Execute – The Role of Augmented Reality in Exploring Biobased Building Materials
| Svetainė: | Bios4You |
| Kursas: | (22) Bio-Based Building Materials: Innovations and Applications |
| Knyga: | 2. Execute – The Role of Augmented Reality in Exploring Biobased Building Materials |
| Spausdino: | Svečio paskyra |
| Data: | antradienis, 2026 rugpjūčio 25, 05:56 |
Aprašas
Augmented Reality (AR) applications can greatly enhance learning about biobased building materials by making complex material properties and ecological benefits tangible for students. By overlaying digital information onto real or model structures, AR allows learners to explore how materials like bamboo, mycelium, hempcrete, or recycled timber perform in real-world construction scenarios. Students can see visualizations of structural strength, insulation, carbon capture, and lifecycle impacts, transforming the built environment into an interactive classroom. This bridges the gap between abstract sustainability principles and practical applications in eco-friendly architecture, fostering understanding, creativity, and a sense of environmental responsibility.
2.1 Specific features and types of AR Tools
An AR application for this purpose would be more than just a visualization tool; it would be a dynamic platform for discovery, design, and problem-solving. Key features and tools could include:
- 3D Model Visualization: Project 3D models of buildings or construction elements onto real-world spaces (e.g., school grounds or local sites) and overlay simulations showing how different bio-based materials—like bamboo, hempcrete, mycelium, or recycled timber—perform in terms of insulation, durability, and environmental impact.
- Data Visualization Overlays: Overlay virtual representations of material properties and sustainability metrics onto existing structures, allowing students to see how each material could reduce carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, or manage moisture and temperature in real time.
- Identification and Information: Use AR to “discover” virtual building materials and access information about their ecological benefits, sourcing, lifecycle impacts, and practical applications in construction projects.
2.2 Real studies and practical exercises
Meaningful integration of AR in hands-on learning is already happening globally, particularly in fields like environmental and urban education. These examples demonstrate how AR can move students beyond passive observation and into active, creative problem-solving inspired by nature.
The study investigated the effectiveness of an augmented reality (AR) simulation game called "ecoCampus" in teaching sustainable design principles to students in building design and construction disciplines. The core of the research involved a building redesign activity where students were tasked with designing, visualizing, and assessing different exterior wall designs to improve the sustainable performance of an existing facility. The "ecoCampus" AR application allowed students to overlay virtual design changes onto real-world images or models of a building. Crucially, it provided immediate feedback on the sustainable performance metrics of their chosen materials and designs.
The study aimed to understand if using an AR simulation game could enhance student engagement and learning outcomes compared to traditional methods. The findings indicated that students who utilized the "ecoCampus" AR game demonstrated higher levels of enjoyment and an increased interest in both building design and, significantly, sustainability. Furthermore, the AR tool facilitated a more robust design process, as students using the application performed more design iterations and considered a wider range of materials, leading to more optimized sustainable solutions. In essence, the study highlighted that AR technology, particularly within a gamified context, can effectively bridge the gap between abstract sustainable design concepts and their concrete application, making the learning process more engaging, interactive, and impactful for students (O’Nascimento, 2025).