Brightening up Aldgate with Augmented Reality

Aldgate is Changing AR App – See the Upcoming Developments with Augmented RealityAldgate, central London, is fast becoming a hub for mixed-use developments, offering a booming retail sector and expanding residential areas. In preparation for the major redevelopment work in the Aldgate area, The City of London Corporation required a unique piece of technology, that would illustrate the planned major highways and infrastructure improvements within the Aldgate area.Areca Design was commissioned to provide an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) App, to help bridge the gap between the building site and the expectations of what would be in place, once the £14m redevelopment operation had been completed over the course of two years. The aim of the AR Mobile App was to develop a way that locals and tourists could envisage what was going to be in Aldgate, after the renovation work was finished, in an educational and interactive way. View the Developments of Aldgate In-situThe main innovation was for creative team to create a bespoke 3D model of the finished landscape, including trees, pedestrian areas and a new pagoda/cafe, using a new Mobile Augmented Reality App.We provided the ability for users to appear to be stood inside of the 3D model of Aldgate, when they were actually standing in-situ with the Aldgate area itself. This means that, upon opening the app and scanning the area, users can actually see all of the existing buildings, augmented with how the new landscaping will look.Augmented Reality and the Potential for the Construction IndustryWe foresee that Mobile AR Apps will quickly become more widely used as technology booms and awareness of the mobile device capabilities and innovations increase. The construction industry, in particular, has the potential to adopt this technology gradually, as it provides many benefits:- It becomes increasingly easy for potential clients and the public to envisage proposed developments- Allows concerns in design to be addressed within the early stages- Introduces initial concepts and enables feedback to be channelled quickly and efficiently- It is cost effective, in that issues and research can be focussed and tailored before the development work takes place- It is educational, interactive, inspiring and utilises the latest modern technology to demonstrate expertise in the industry sectorThe Aldgate is Changing App is free to download and is available for both ios and Android devices – please search for Aldgate is Changing in the Apple Store or Google Play.If you require a discussion on how we could help support your business with innovative Augmented Reality, please contact us today on: 01386 570360, or email us at: designteam@arecadesign.co.uk.