HYPHAE HOUSE: use of Augmented Reality through smartphones in the worksite
Authors: Victor Sardenberg, Ana Luisa Rolim, André Figueiredo, Rafael Rattes, Clarissa Duarte e Dyego Digiandomenico
1st Prize Winner of the Brazilian Institute of Architects, Pernambuco Chapter (IAB-PE) 2021 Awards, Geraldo Gomes Award for Technics, Technology and Innovation
Published as a full paper in the The SIGraDi 2021 Designing Possibilities, Ubiquitous Conference.
This academic initiative focuses on the application of Augmented Reality (AR) via smartphones as a tool for the construction of complex geometries, without the use of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) or printed drawings. To test the current state of AR in the production of objects, the Hyphae House, a temporary prototype, in 1:1 scale, was built on a university campus by professors and students of a postgraduate course, accompanied by an exhibition in AR to expand its informative and interactive character.
The prototype was built during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a workshop with in-person and remote participants, including design refinement, site adaptation and construction, using locally produced concrete blocks and pre-ready ecological mortar as raw material. The experience had a positive result regarding the use of accessible smartphone technology as a complementary tool, at the construction site and in the computerization of construction.
The technology proved to be effective as a construction and visualization method, and led to the execution approximately four times faster than conventional processes, involving greater sustainability due to the absence of printed paper and shoring pieces.
See here for more about the award by the Brazilian Institute of Architects, Pernambuco Chapter (IAB-PE).
For the paper published in the XXV International Conference of the Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics (SIGraDi 2021) see here.
 Overall view of the hyphae house. Photo by Amanda Camara |  Detail of the hyphae house. Photo by Amanda Camara. |  Computational design of the installation grid and AR applied to the site |
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 The utilization of AR during construction to guide the placement of the concrete blocks (in red) and mortar (in green). |  The AR technology allowed for placement of concrete blocks in various positions with precision and optimization of time. Photo by Amanda Camara. |  Exhibition about the project in AR environment |
 The full prototype as visualized in the AR environment |  Several tests were performed in the initial stages of construction. Photo by Victor Sardenberg |  Construction as seen in AR environment applied over the site. |
 Digital model of the prototype: built section (in grey) and virtual portion (in red) |  The curved staggered geometry of the prototype invites human interaction |