ARki founder Sahar Fikouhi answers readers’ questions on how the new augmented reality visualisation platform works.

What is ARki and how does it work?
ARki is an app that aims to make life easier for architects and designers. It is an augmented reality platform which helps 3D designers visualise their projects in location, improve the way they communicate their designs, and ultimately market their projects. In doing this, it addresses issues presented by the ever-changing nature of architectural plans over the course of a project.

ARki works with most 3D software packages, and allows users to import 3D files directly from their own cloud storage solution. The app allows users to create location-specific AR visualisations, and makes it simple and easy to share these with numerous stakeholders in an architectural project, via their iOS mobile or iPad device.

By working with real-time rendering through the app, architects and designers can rapidly iterate their designs and create interactive visualisations that help simplify and speed up design communication between their entire team.

Why did you start ARki?
The idea for ARki started during my early career, working as an architect for Foster and Partners. This experience showed me some of the limitations that architects faced in design technology regarding visualisation and model-making, often due to outdated and manual ways of working.

I started the journey into iOS app development with the ambition to create a new digital tool that would enable designers to have an alternative way of communicating design º a way that would be faster, and more immersive, than traditional model-making and visualisation. Today we are a team of designers and iOS developers, passionate about bringing Augmented Reality to the forefront of architecture and design.

How does ARki differ from what’s currently on the market?
Visualising 3D projects in location requires a host of post-processing and rendering techniques to create accurate visualisation, which can be lengthy and very expensive to produce. There is also no way to actually experience data on-site, as most visualisations are usually experienced on a screen, on-top of pre-recorded images/video of the site.

ARki is built for designers to create and share spatial data in AR. It allows them to work quicker, and the great thing is that no coding or advanced rendering skills are required to use it. The app is built for 3D designers, and focused on supporting immersive visualisations, which can integrate complex architectural models at full scale. In this way the app enables designers to augment their projects into their contextual environments, and design buildings that are better integrated with their landscape. Through our AR technology we empower designers to create better, more considered projects, which take less time to produce.

What does the future hold for app-based technology in architecture?
If we fast forward 10-20 years into the future, I anticipate that we will all be using AR/VR headwear, or even lenses, that will augment our line of vision with 2D/3D content that merges seamlessly with the real-world. For this reason, app-based technologies have the potential to revolutionise the way we consume, create, and share content, as well as how we work on a daily basis. AR glasses of the future have the potential to replace traditional modes of working in general. Instead of working all day on desktop computer, using a standard keyboard and mouse, we can work in a more intuitive way, using our full body, (especially arms and speech) to create, and communicate information.

Architecture and design are industries that use a variety of software to design, create and share data between many stakeholders. This means there is huge potential for app-based technologies to leverage the potential of AR/VR, and create more intuitive technologies that will support us to work remotely.

How much does it cost to use?
ARki can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store, and individual users can try out the full functionalities of the app on a free 30-day trial. The in-app subscriptions are £200/year or 17.99/month. Business users can purchase multiple seats on our business license which can be purchased via our website. We also offer a 70% discount to students and educational institutes.

For further information visit www.darfdesign.com/arki