The use of Mixed Reality to overlay digital information is a growing trend which has huge potential in various markets. The practicalities of this technique apply beautifully to the 3D design industry,namely interior design and property development. Whilst this industry has had brief ventures into the world of disruptive technologies, the territory remains relatively unexplored.

We have previously seen the use of glyph based markers and Augmented Reality(AR) headsets. Markers can be placed around an empty room, queuing augmentations for 3D objects from walls to furniture to decoration. Meanwhile the AR enabled headset allows the markers to merge with the scene, enabling the wearer to see a 3D projection of the room and interact by moving the markers.

However, with the recent developments in Mixed Reality enabled en masse via the popularisation of Smartphones, the complications of the aforementioned method and expense of such headsets are eliminated, making Augmented Reality for interior design far more commercially viable.

The trend for 3D renderings of kitchen designs has been mass-marketed and made available from major retailers and even directly accessible to the consumer online. However, with markets such as high-end homes where there are larger budgets,  the consumer will be able to virtually 'try the product on'. With AR it is possible to digitally overlay 3D designs, such as kitchen units or bathroom designs, over real information through the view of an AR enabled mobile device.

This technique will also significantly decrease the workload and timescale of those in design and property development. The idea of a 'collaborative design system' was developed at The European Computer-Industry Research Centre (ECRC). Combining the use of an online digital catalogue of products, AR and the distribution of 3d graphics over a network, the system enables quick and accurate communication between office staff, designers and manufacturers. Desired requirements for furniture regarding colour, manufacturer or price could be requested from the catalogue, and the 3d rendering projected into the room. Products can then be added, deleted and rearranged as required.

This method would translate well into commercial design and property developments with larger projects and teams. Think boutique hotels, stores, restaurants and nightclubs, where renovations are expensive and schedules are tight.

Commercial iPhone interiors applications are already finding their way to market; Swedish home-ware giant IKEA developed one around their limited edition P.S range of furniture and home accessories. A digital catalogue enables the user to simply download the 3d product image, take a picture of the room using their phone, then superimpose the item into their own home. Augmented wallpaper has also been pioneered; the FabLabWall app shows virtual pieces of art, sound and video. Although not yet in mass production, the potential markets for this are phenomenal; consider children's and teens sectors and elements such as licensing of major movies, music and sports stars etc.

As the intelligence of technology grows and we start to see further convergence of Articulated Naturality, MEMS, Nanotechnology and Proximity Marketing, speculation of how we could be living broadens.  Could Keiichi Matsuda’s Augmented (hyper) Reality, a study for his Master’s program at the Bartlett School of Architecture, be a realistic perception of the future? 

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