Prof Eric Farr PhD

Research Overview

Energy Production Analysis of Photovoltaic Shading Devices (PVSD) in Integrated Façade Systems (IFS)Sensitivity analysis of energy consumption of Integrated Façade Systems: system and sub-system variables of a base case model for Building Energy SimulationThe application of Augmented Reality (AR) in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry

Augmented Reality (AR) as a concept has been in use for many years and prevalence of new mobile technologies, such as smartphones and handheld devices, have facilitated the concept of AR becoming fully realized. Various fields are exploiting the increasing feasibilities the concept of AR can offer; one of these being the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. This paper introduces a research project that investigates benefits and limitations of AR for use in AEC industry. It starts with a brief background to the research before presenting a critical literature review, which forms the basis for the development and design of an AR experiment and a questionnaire for participants in the study. Results are provided with an in-depth discussion on their possible significance, before a conclusion is presented. The results suggest that although the participants believed that AR can offer a wide range of benefits to different tasks and at different stages of a project, it seems more beneficial to some specific tasks or at some specific stages than the others. Using the specific findings of this study future research in this field is proposed in different areas.Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in construction industry: An experiential development workflow

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry have a sustained track record of research and development proving both technologies to be beneficial to various stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of buildings. Previous research in different areas of AR/VR in the AEC industry is not rare but rather scattered and some areas have benefitted more than others. One of the less researched areas in this field is the workflow development of the instrument in experiential research in AR/VR. With an empirical research paradigm at its core, this paper seeks to provide evidence to bridge this gap using two generic case studies, one for AR and the other for VR. A systemic procedural process is used to explain the workflow development of both experiments aiming at establishing a method which can be adopted, adapted, or customized to best suit the specifics of any similar research project in this field.