Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Tahseen Ali Alazzawi ¹
• Hala Abdul karem Alsamer ²

¹ Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, University of Basra, Iraq

² University of Basra College of Engineering

Abstract

AR technique is one of the innovative techniques of our time, which is increasingly used in the field of architecture at several levels and for multiple purposes. One of these is to enhance public participation in architectural design in an easy and understandable way. Due to limited attention to this emerging technique in our local context, including the academic one in Iraqi universities, and the scarcity of research contributions addressing it, this paper explores the concept of AR, its utilizations in architecture, and its role in promoting public participation in design. Also, it involved developing a mobile AR app " BUMAR " and testing it in real-world settings, all with the goal of introducing this technology and exploring its potential to facilitate and achieve public participation in design. To achieve this, a proposed virtual model was created as a hypothetical building for the Petroleum Engineering Department, intended to be built. The model was exported to the app, which was shared on social media for the target audiences. The app was tested in displaying and evaluating the model, with experiments conducted over several days by students, faculty, and others. This was accompanied by a questionnaire to gather opinions on BUMAR 's effectiveness, specifically, and the importance of the AR technique in achieving understanding and interaction with the proposed design and its role in facilitating participation and expressing opinions. BUMAR achieved good results, as indicated by the questionnaire results showing acceptance, satisfaction, interaction, interest, requests for further development of the app, and willingness to participate in future augmented experiments. This supports the claim of the importance of AR technique and the success of BUMAR in explaining it to users, suggesting further development of the app and its use in evaluating real construction projects in the future.

Keywords

• Augmented reality
• Architectural design
• Public participation
• MAR applications
• User engagement
• Participatory design
• Design evaluation
• University of Basra