How is augmented reality used in BIM processes?

The use of augmented reality (AR) is gaining ground in various sectors: entertainment, tourism, medicine and surgery, the construction industry (AEC), etc. If you are a construction professional or are involved in BIM, in this insight you can get hold of the many advantages of augmented reality for your work.

Used correctly, AR can indeed support you in design, collaboration with your work team, improving on-site safety, and a variety of other activities that we delve into in this article. This is why there are available augmented reality software that can bring enormous advantages and facilitate the entire design, execution, maintenance, and management process of a project.

What is AR in the construction industry?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that allows virtual elements to be superimposed onto our vision of reality.

What’s more, augmented reality can be integrated with mobile applications enabling users to access it on smartphones or tablets. The system may comprise an image capturing device or smartphone framing an existing object and displaying a series of information associated with it: videos, images, 3D models, information cards, etc

This principle is known as overlay and generates a new level of communication that implements the amount of data relating to a given object.

In architecture, engineering, and construction, augmented reality is the integration of digital 3D models with real-world building sites, or better, it is the overlay of 3D digital building or building component models embedded with data onto real-world sites.

This unique technology increases accuracy and efficiency by reducing errors relating to the management of time, costs and resources in general.

There are several applications that augmented reality offers to the construction industry, let’s find out more.

The use of Augmented Reality in BIM and the construction industry

As already mentioned, augmented reality is a relatively new technology that virtually transports computer-generated objects into the real physical environment by means of specific applications or software, headsets (HMDs), visors and other smart devices.

Augmented reality and BIM

AR allows a team to collectively experience BIM data interwoven with the built environment. This technology has been adopted by designers, engineers and builders opening up far-reaching opportunities for the construction industry. In particular with reference to:

• presenting a project to clients – the project model can be viewed in all its details so that stakeholders can gain a better understanding of the project. AR can also be used to show 3D models and even provide virtual tours, providing clients with an effective idea of the building in its real context, way before its construction;
• collaborating with other professionals – it simplifies online collaboration by allowing teams to share 3D images and videos with team members who are not on site. Thanks to augmented reality, stakeholders can view images or videos in more detail and identify errors or issues even if they are not on site;
• project planning – offers the ability to view and understand the project building in depth and realistically. Augmented reality in construction can be used already in the early stages of design, showing the final product at a very detailed level and also providing information on the impact the work will have on the environment and the social fabric in which it will be embedded. Designers and contractors can show functional and realistic models to their clients and all decisions will be more informed, leaving no room for changes during construction;
• measuring accurately – augmented reality devices (viewers, smart glasses, etc.) have functionalities that allow measuring the physical elements of a space (depth, height and width). By integrating BIM with augmented reality, companies and professionals can use 3D models to precisely determine the dimensions of project elements and realistically view all the solutions they are working on;
• on-site review – offers the ability to preview the design, directly on site, before materials are ordered and work begins. On-site review allows you to uncover any inconsistencies in the design and prevent wasted resources and delivery delays by quickly adapting the BIM model to new regulations;
• safety and inspection – improves safety in the workplace through specific AR devices (such as glasses or mobile devices) that scan tags or labels placed in specific areas or objects. These tags can bring up information cards or even 3D models to communicate safety information or possible risks to workers;
• underground construction and renovation – during demolition or excavation operations, there is always the risk of unintentionally hitting a gas line, drainage pipes, underground utilities, etc. A wrong blow from an excavator can cause damage, breakdowns or even explosions. The use of AR allows users to virtually visualise the exact position of cables and pipes that are not visible to the naked eye and avoid possible problems;
• training – workers can receive direct instruction on the use of new machinery or complex equipment in an intuitive, practical and effective way, reducing training costs and operator downtime. In this way, workers can see equipment in action before using it. In addition, dangerous materials or situations can be shown without exposing team members to a real risk;
• cost savings – increases labour productivity, reduces costs and improves safety throughout the project’s life cycle.

AR vs VR

Similar to what AR may offer, virtual reality (VR) creates completely immersive virtual environments.

Although they are often confused for their ability to create a kind of ‘bridge’ between the physical and digital worlds, there are many differences.

Basically, AR uses a real-world setting while VR is completely virtual and puts a user into isolated reality. In a nutshell, VR replaces reality, taking you somewhere else. AR adds to reality, projecting information on top of what you’re already seeing.

VR implies a technology capable of transporting us into a reality different from the one we experience, thanks to the use of special devices such as visors and controllers.

Virtual reality in BIM

Everything we see is computer generated and wraps us in 360 degrees in an immersive experience where we can also interact with surrounding objects, moving or modifying them.

With VR we can explore the universe, drive a car that has not yet been released, visit a house that has not yet been built, carry out exercises in safety, operate a new piece of machinery, be catapulted into ancient Egypt, etc.

In short, virtual reality provides a fully immersive experience in a computer-generated digital reality.

If you are interested in using virtual reality to support the design and presentation of your projects to clients, we recommend :

• taking a look at this blog article;
• use a virtual reality (VR) software for architects and designers to create a 3D model and take immersive virtual tours.

How is augmented reality used in BIM construction?

When augmented reality merges with Building Information Modeling, the construction site becomes an intelligent space where digital design takes shape in the real world with unprecedented accuracy. This synergy allows professionals to visualize the BIM model directly at full scale on the construction site, transforming planning into an immersive and interactive experience. For example, a site manager can overlay the layout of plumbing or electrical systems onto the still-raw floor to ensure that the installation occurs without interference or errors.

In the execution phase, the features of AR tracking help to compare the designed model with the actual progress of the works, signaling any discrepancies in real-time. This translates into faster inspection checks, immediate corrections, and a significant reduction in rework costs. Additionally, through AR headsets or mobile devices, operators can access contextualized technical information – such as data sheets, installation manuals, or safety checklists – simply by pointing at a part of the building. In this way, digital documentation is no longer something to search for, but is visually integrated into the operational context.

AR also finds particularly effective application in multidisciplinary coordination. During the phases of clash detection or design review, the team can explore the built environment before it is constructed, observing interferences between structures, systems, and finishes directly in the physical space. This approach eliminates the need to interpret complex models on a flat screen and increases understanding even for those who are less familiar with BIM software.

Finally, the benefits extend well beyond construction. From a management and maintenance perspective, augmented reality becomes a powerful facility management tool: technicians can locate ducts, wiring, or hidden devices without demolition, simply visualizing them through AR based on the federated BIM model. This capability not only reduces intervention times but also minimizes human errors and increases safety in complex or high-density environments.

Main tools and devices for the integration of BIM and augmented reality

The integration between augmented reality (AR) and BIM offers advanced tools that enhance visualization, collaboration, and operational efficiency. Among the most innovative solutions in this field are the software that immerses the user in a BIM metaverse.​

Augmented reality at the service of BIM

These tools are generally platforms that allow users to visualize BIM models in augmented reality directly on the construction site, using mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. These solutions enable operators to overlay digital models onto the real environment, facilitating project understanding and verification of ongoing works.​

Among the main features are:​

• immersive visualization: BIM models can be explored at full scale, providing an accurate perception of dimensions and proportions;
• intuitive interaction: users can interact with model elements, accessing detailed information and navigating through the various components of the project;​
• precise alignment: thanks to advanced technologies, digital models align accurately with the physical environment, ensuring a faithful correspondence between project and reality;​
• accessibility: the use of mobile devices makes AR technology more accessible, eliminating the need for dedicated and expensive hardware.​

The adoption of tools like these allows for improved communication among different stakeholders, reduced errors during construction, and optimized decision-making processes. Furthermore, integration with other technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), opens new possibilities for real-time monitoring of site conditions and efficient resource management.

Case study: augmented reality and openBIM® for support in construction and maintenance activities

A concrete application of the integration between BIM and augmented reality has been developed within the PRESMA research project, aimed at experimenting with the use of immersive technologies to improve construction, inspection, and facility management activities.

The PRESMA project is an industrial research and experimental development initiative developed by ACCA software in collaboration with the Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture (DIST) of the University of Naples, the Department of Architecture, Construction Engineering and Built Environment of the Politecnico di Milano, the Department of Architecture and Territory (dArTe) of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, and the Department of Architecture (DIDA) of the University of Florence.

The experimentation involved the use of various augmented reality devices integrated with the usBIM platform and, in particular, with the services dedicated to maintenance (usBIM.maint) and the Internet of Things (usBIM.iot).

The objective was to overlap the BIM model with the actual building, allowing operators to visualize and query model information directly on-site or during maintenance activities.

Among the main use cases analyzed are:

• manipulation of the BIM model in augmented reality (rotation, scaling, movement, and immersive navigation);
• alignment of the digital model with the actual building through recognition of walls, landmarks, or QR Codes;
• verification of correspondence between project state and actual state;
• management of visibility of elements to highlight systems normally hidden by walls and floors;
• consultation of IFC properties directly on objects present in the building;
• access to maintenance information, including open tickets, scheduled interventions, and activity history;
• integration with IoT systems for real-time visualization of data from sensors and utility control;
• insertion of annotations and reporting of anomalies directly on the model.

One of the most significant aspects of the experimentation involved spatial registration techniques of the BIM model relative to the real environment. Various alignment methods were tested, based on surface recognition, selection of homologous points, and the use of QR Codes, achieving an accurate overlap between the virtual model and the real building.

The research also evaluated the use of augmented reality for carrying out measurements directly in the field. Using the advanced Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset, it was possible to measure dimensions and sizes without traditional measuring tools, achieving accuracy of less than one centimeter in experimental tests, a particularly interesting result for hard-to-access elements.

The tests highlighted how the combination of OpenBIM, augmented reality, and cloud platforms represents an effective tool for supporting verification activities on-site, coordination among stakeholders, building maintenance, and operational management of systems. The possibility of accessing model information directly in the physical context indeed helps reduce interpretative errors, speed up inspection operations, and improve the decision-making process throughout the entire lifecycle of the project.

FAQ about the use of AR in BIM

What is augmented reality in the construction industry?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information (such as 3D models, data sheets, images, videos) onto the real environment. In the construction industry, it allows for the combination of virtual projects with the physical context of a construction site to improve accuracy, efficiency, and reduce errors.

What are the applications of augmented reality in the building sector?

Applications include: project presentation, remote collaboration, detailed planning, precise measurements, on-site review, safety improvement, management of underground constructions, staff training, and overall cost reduction.

What is the difference between augmented reality and virtual reality?

Augmented reality enriches the real world with overlaid digital content. Virtual reality, on the other hand, creates a completely digital environment that replaces the real world, offering immersive 360° experiences.

How is augmented reality used with BIM?

Augmented reality, integrated with BIM, allows for the visualization of digital models at full scale on the construction site, improving control, planning, inspection, and maintenance. It enables the detection of interferences, access to contextual information, and reduces rework and costs.

What tools are needed to use AR and BIM together?

There are AR platforms and software compatible with BIM, usable via smartphones, tablets, or headsets. They offer immersive visualization, interaction with models, precise alignment with the physical environment, and simplified access to technical information.