Mixed reality, a current reality

On 9-11 April 2018, as part of its activities in IT for Innovative Services (ITIS), the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) participated in "Designing Interactive Holographic Environments in Grasshopper Training” hosted by McNeel Europe in Barcelona (ES). 

The institute was represented by Elie Daher, specialised in digital build environment management, and during three days he worked together with the other participants of this Fologram workshop on how to create holographic environments using Hololenses and Grasshopper.

Get a closer look on mixed reality 

With mixed ​reality​​ ​environments​ ​designers​ ​can visualize 3D​ ​models​ ​within​ ​physical environments​ ​and​ ​at​ ​scale.​ ​​This training was a great opportunity to discover new​ ​tools​ ​and​ ​workflow​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​3D models​ ​to​ ​be​ ​dynamic,​ ​leverage​ ​headset​ ​data​ ​​and​ ​​to​ ​build​ ​new​ ​applications​ ​directly​ ​within​ grasshopper (a parametric plug-in for Rhino3D).

By using these applications, LIST researcher was able to interact with the holographic model, simulating daylight analysis and visualising these analyses with holographic meshes. Other interactions were also related to the design of the model it was possible to change some parameters by clicking virtual holographic buttons and see in a real time the modification of geometry. This application allowed also a multiple user interaction with the model. Users have to wear Hololens device and the connection between grasshopper and the Hololens was insured by the software Fologram.

Such applications help the users to more understand and interact with the model, indeed, models can be 1/1 scaled allowing to get a proper impression of the object/model and to identify the impact of the model and manipulating it during the design phase. 

New decision-making solutions extended at LIST 

At LIST, the researcher is working on a LIST self-funded project to develop new collaborative and participation methods related to decision-making in architectural context. The PhD research entitled “Method and toolset for data-driven optimisation of design solutions in parametric modelling systems” is dealing with new technologies and innovations in the construction industry and in particular how to enhance the participation of the users in the design of their own facilities and to increase their engagement in the decision-making process thru these new technologies.

Taking part in this workshop was motivating for LIST's research team working on this topic as it is directly related to the thesis project. Several applications are being tested in LIST laboratories and moreover, Elie Daher is now working on the visualisation of Belval site with shadow range analysis as part of a research related to the urban development and decision-making policies.

We invite you to discover the video below presenting a discussion around a holographic model developed in parametric way where the researchers were able to visualise the day-light simulation which helped to more understand the model and to take some decisions related to the design of the model. 

> For any question on this topic, please contact Elie Daher via email.