Visualizing accessibility in built environments utilizing augmented reality

Abstract

Accessibility enables the usage of environments, devices and services for everyone. With an ageing population in Finland, it is relevant to provide accessible spaces in order to ensure equal opportunities to participate in society for elderly people. The aim of this thesis is to describe how augmented reality can be used to visualize accessible living spaces that respond to the needs of elderly people, who often present difficulties with mobility, balance and perception. Shapr3D’s AR tool, SolidWorks, Photoshop and Procreate softwares are used to 3D model and visualize an outer door area image and editing was used to present an accessibility modification image. The result being a visualization of an accessible outer door area created using an augmented reality tool. The findings from this thesis brings insight to the design and development of accessible living spaces, as well as support the productization and visualization of such environments.