As an Emerging Technologies Developer with Mortenson, Will Adams draws upon his deep passion for the building industry to explore how the intersections of architecture, programming and novel technology can positively impact the rapidly-changing building industry. He likes working with customers to help them understand the possibilities of what Mortenson can do for them, creating that vision, and then ultimately bringing that vision to fruition through meaningful results.
As the technological revolution continues, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has been experimenting with the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for well over 20 years. The uses are plentiful - from serving as a technological tool to enhance project communication/collaboration and detecting potential clashes before they occur (saving clients both money and time) to serving as a public-facing tool that can build excitement and support for projects.
At Mortenson, a to-20 U.S.-based builder, developer and engineering services provider, our company's Seattle-based Virtual Insights Group is using next-generation AR/VR tools in a wide variety of ways. From creating internal quality and safety training environments for our workforce to developing fully immersive and collaborative virtual environments - most recently for the $1 billion Climate Pledge Arena project in Seattle, where our team helped enable project, sales/marketing and ownership teams to review designs, give tours and create amazing experiences for fans before and during project construction.
Another critical use of immersive VR is in healthcare facility design–where surgeons, nurses, and equipment operations can join together in virtual operating rooms simultaneously to detect inefficiencies and clashes before construction starts, helping to ensure highly-effective design while avoiding costly future remodels.
Mortenson is also working with clients to create an easily-accessible public engagement VR tool to help gain buy-in from community stakeholders by showing–not just telling them (as once was the norm)–the long-term benefits of complex controversial projects.
One of Mortenson’s most recent projects involves working with Oregon-based Clean Water Services, a water resources management utility, on a sanitary and regional storm water management project. The two-year Cedar Mill Creek enhancement project will replace a 40+-year-old sanitary pipe that runs through the popular Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 220-acre nature and wildlife reserve in Beaverton, Oregon that includes trails, wetlands, creeks, ponds and meadows.
“Our focus is finding new technologies and developing them to help our customers succeed”