A virtual future hits home with launch of Metricon Virtual Display Experience via Traffik + Scann3D
Metricon Homes is changing the future of the home-building industry with its pioneering Virtual Display Experience.
Melbourne-based companies Scann3D and Traffik have both played key roles in the development of the Metricon Virtual Display Experience.
This Australian-first, for the detached house builders industry, is set to revolutionise the way people interact with the traditional display property and select the design and features of their dream home.
The Virtual Display Experience will be executed in selected regional areas that face the geographical challenges of visiting a display home.
The virtual reality display promises to ‘virtually’ bring the traditional display home experience directly to the customer. This will save families time and the inconvenience of travelling huge distances, sometimes interstate. It also allows home designs that are exclusive to other states, to be viewed around the country without the need for building a display.
The first area to experience this emerging technology is Wonthaggi in Victoria’s south-east.
Virtual Reality (VR) technology allows the user to step into the home and take a tour. By simply slipping on a lightweight, comfortable head set, customers can enjoy crystal clear images with precise details. The technology is so advanced that it’s easy to believe you are actually standing in a real home. No room is out of bounds, with the technology even allowing the user to move up and down stairs.
As the home-building market in Australia continues to grow, boasting recent growth at around 13%, there are more display homes than ever to visit. The Metricon Virtual Display Experience gives customers a unique display home experience, without leaving their hometown.
Says Ross Palazzesi, managing director for Metricon Homes: “Metricon strives to be at the forefront of our industry so it is important that we embrace new technologies. The Virtual Reality Experience is not only exciting, because it is a first in Australia, but it is extremely practical. With a network of over 150 display homes nationally, Metricon has many new and popular designs on display however, it’s a challenge to showcase every design in every market. Virtual Reality allows us to take display homes to consumers in any market, even international customers.
“We hope to bring this technology to other regional centres across the country in the future. At the end of the day, our focus is always on the customer and how we can give them the best Metricon experience.”
Scann3D was responsible for bringing the virtual display homes to life. To create the virtual imagery, 3D scanners captured the interior spaces using a combination of infrared lasers and photogrammetry. This data was then optimised, through various rendering programs and compression algorithms to create a virtual reality experience.
Says Steven Kounnas, co-founder of Scann3D: “With such growth in the Australian home building industry there are more display homes than ever to visit. It is wonderful to see a company such as Metricon using emerging technologies to make the display home visit more efficient and enjoyable for many Australians.
“This virtual reality technology gives the customers the ultimate experience. They can conveniently view as many properties as possible and enjoy a streamlined selection process.”
Experiential agency Traffik was instrumental in the logistics of bringing the virtual experience to market.
Says David Loughnan, digital director at Traffik: “We’re extremely excited to help Metricon optimise their marketing strategies using cutting edge innovation. Virtual Reality unlocks huge potential for Metricon by supplementing their existing display home strategy and speeding up the path to purchase a home or property. We’re experimenting with several other technologies to add to this activity that will push things even further in the coming months.”
The virtual display experience is designed to be as close to visiting a display home as possible. As the user enjoys the virtual display, Metricon sales staff can accompany them around the home, seeing what they see, and providing a personalised sales experience.
The Metricon Virtual Display Experience will launch with three of the most popular home designs available to view – the Chelsea and Denver from the Designer by Metricon range and the Delta from the Freedom by Metricon range.