A patented Australian technology that projects architectural blueprints at life-size scale is making its Middle East debut in Dubai, with ambitious plans to expand into Saudi Arabia’s landmark developments NEOM and the Red Sea Project within months.
Lifesize Plans, which launched its first regional franchise in Dubai’s Al Quoz creative district, has developed what it claims is the world’s first patented real-scale walkthrough technology.
The system allows developers, architects, and potential buyers to physically walk through digital renderings of properties projected onto a 5,000-square-foot floor space – a technological approach that diverges from the virtual reality solutions that have dominated property visualisation in recent years.
“Life-sized projections on a 1:1 scale allow architects and clients to walk through their designs physically, giving an exact sense of scale, proportions, and space flow,” Georges Calas, CEO of Lifesize Plans Dubai, told Arabian Business.
“In Dubai, where architectural precision is crucial, this real-world experience allows for more accurate design adjustments before construction, saving time and resources.”
“We’re working closely with our regional partners to bring Lifesize Plans to Saudi Arabia within the next few months, aligning our entry with key construction milestones on these mega-projects.”
The technology’s approach to handling large-scale developments could prove particularly valuable for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious architectural projects. The system can segment vast developments into manageable sections while maintaining true-to-life scale, allowing developers to visualise and modify specific areas of mega-projects before construction begins.
For the sprawling NEOM development, which includes the 170-kilometre linear city THE LINE, such visualisation capabilities could provide crucial insights into spatial relationships and user experience at ground level. The technology’s ability to project landscaped areas and common spaces could prove especially valuable for the Red Sea Project’s luxury tourism developments, where guest experience hinges on precise spatial planning.
Patented tech to fuel Dubai’s off-plan boom
The Dubai launch comes at a strategic moment in the UAE’s real estate market, which saw a 38 per cent surge in off-plan property transactions during the first half of 2023. The technology aims to address a persistent challenge in off-plan sales: helping buyers understand exactly what they’re purchasing before construction begins.
Unlike traditional virtual reality solutions, Lifesize Plans enhances the visualisation experience with physical elements. The facility provides movable partition walls, faux furniture, and props, allowing clients to interact with the space in a tangible way. This hybrid approach of digital projection and physical elements aims to provide a more intuitive understanding of spatial relationships than purely virtual solutions.
“Our services can help buyers experience their property layouts on a 1:1 scale before committing,” Calas explained, suggesting this could lead to lower cancellation rates compared to traditional blueprints or digital renderings.
“This not only enhances their decision-making but reduces the likelihood of last-minute changes or dissatisfaction, ultimately benefiting developers with smoother transactions and fewer revisions.”
The company’s Dubai facility, located in Al Quoz’s growing creative district, features an integrated projection system that can display multiple floors, external areas, and common spaces of a development. The technology allows for real-time modifications during walkthroughs, enabling immediate adjustments to designs based on client feedback.
Looking ahead, Calas indicates that further tech innovations are in development.
“We’re focused on innovation, with future plans for more interactive, real-time modifications during walkthroughs,” he said.
“We’re proud to support the architectural visions of Dubai and soon Saudi Arabia as we push the boundaries of design visualisation.”
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