Design Visualization

One of the biggest challenges when undertaking a home improvement project is imagining the end result.

We have spent nearly 10 years exploring how virtual and mixed reality can help customers visualize their new space.

For homeowners taking on a project or renovation, regardless of size, there are hundreds of choices to be made and unlimited combinations to bring your vision to life. 

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with remodeling decisions. You want clean, contemporary countertops. But should you go with granite, quartz, or marble? You have dozens of inspiration pictures saved online but what would you call your style? The faucets you love are vintage and the appliances are more modern. Will those actually work together? 

Our team has been dedicated to leveraging technology to help provide a tangible solution to the abstract challenge of visualizing the final outcome.

Our work has led us to build immersive experiences that allow customers to virtually walk through their ideal renovations before a single product is purchased or a single nail is hammered.  With the aid of VR and AR, homeowners can now "try on" different design options, experiment with various color schemes, and virtually rearrange furniture, enabling them to make informed decisions and feel more confident about the direction of their home improvement journey.

In late 2014, Lowe’s initiated a six-month test of the Lowe’s Holoroom, a home improvement design and visualization experience for exploring and planning projects, in two of our Canada stores.

With the help of a store associate, customers could build out their dream kitchen or bath, with real Lowe's products, to see how their selections would come to life in the real world. 

Customers could see detailed views of kitchen, bathroom, and other living spaces complete with textured countertops and accurate colors.

The paint color you had in mind doesn't match with the countertops? No problem, easily make a change. Afraid the faucet and fixtures you want won't work together? With Holoroom, you can see how everything will come together before making a purchase. 

Delivered in-store via Oculus Rift VR headset, customers could then take their designs home and visit them again leveraging their smart phones and Google Cardboard devices.

In 2016, we brought a pilot experience with Microsoft to bring their HoloLens augmented reality device to two Lowe's stores.

Wearing the HoloLens headset, shoppers could view physical objects and digital holograms of products while standing in a showroom kitchen. Customers could select different design options for their kitchens, countertops, appliances, etc. without having to actually purchase them.

Customers used the HoloLens design tool to bring their dream kitchen to life, with personal style preferences pulled from their Pinterest boards and matched to real products sold at Lowe's.

Through HoloLens, customers witness a life-sized holographic kitchen materialize before them. Using simple gestures to interact with their environment, customers could swap out and customize the kitchen based on their preferences.

This immersive experience was designed to give customers confidence that they'll love their kitchen post-installation, all without the need for physical swatch cards or samples.