Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term for technologies that blend the physical and digital worlds, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).
These technologies create immersive experiences by overlaying digital content onto the real world or fully immersing users in a computer-generated environment.
XR is being used across industries—from gaming and entertainment to architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC).
In AEC, it helps professionals visualise designs, conduct virtual site visits, and improve collaboration.
But how exactly does XR work, and what are its practical applications? Keep reading to explore the key components of XR and how it’s shaping the future of digital interaction.
Without further ado, let’s get to it!
What is Extended Reality?
We’ve already covered the basics—XR is an umbrella term that includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
But instead of just listing types, let’s take a step back and look at what XR is fundamentally.
Extended Reality is about blending the digital and physical worlds in a way that feels natural and interactive.
It’s not just about wearing a headset or seeing floating holograms—it’s about changing how we experience information, spaces, and objects.
Instead of looking at a blueprint on a screen, XR lets you walk through a digital version of a building. Instead of reading data on a tablet, it can appear in your field of view, layered onto the real-world site.
To make this work, XR combines hardware (like headsets, smart glasses, and AR-enabled devices) with software that tracks movement, maps surroundings, and adjusts digital content in real time.
This means digital objects can feel anchored in the real world or create fully immersive spaces that react as you move.
XR isn’t just one piece of technology.
It’s a constantly evolving category that keeps getting more precise and responsive as computing power, AI, and connectivity improve. And as it advances, industries like construction are finding more ways to use it for design visualization, remote collaboration, and problem-solving before issues even reach the job site.
More on Interscale Education Blog: Cloud Computing in Construction: What AEC Professionals Need to Know
What Are the Types of Extended Reality?
Extended reality (XR) comes in three forms: Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Each one changes how you see and interact with the world, but in different ways—some pull you into a fully digital space, while others bring digital elements into your real surroundings.
Let’s break them down.
Virtual Reality (VR)
VR takes you completely out of the real world and drops you into a fully digital one.
You put on a VR headset, and suddenly, you’re inside a computer-generated environment where you can move around, interact with objects, and experience things as if they were real.
You’ve probably seen VR used in gaming, but it’s also a big deal in fields like architecture, construction, and engineering. Imagine being able to walk through a 3D model of a building before a single brick is laid.
That’s what VR makes possible—it helps teams spot design flaws, refine plans, and improve projects before they’re built.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR keeps you in the real world but adds digital elements on top of it.
Think of it like looking through your phone or AR glasses and seeing extra information—maybe a 3D model of a new building on an empty lot or instructions floating in front of you while assembling equipment.
It’s already being used in construction and design to overlay blueprints on job sites, helping teams see exactly where things should go before they start building. AR is already improving work by making it faster and more accurate.
Mixed Reality (MR)
MR is like AR, but more interactive. Instead of just seeing digital objects, you can actually interact with them. Picture a 3D model of a building appearing on your desk—you can walk around it, zoom in, and even change its design in real time.
This is especially useful for engineering and construction teams who need to collaborate on complex projects. With MR, they can see and adjust designs together, making it easier to fix problems before they become expensive mistakes.
Each of these XR technologies is changing the way people work, design, and build. Whether you’re stepping into a virtual world, adding digital layers to reality, or blending both together, XR is making it easier to visualise and interact with information in new ways.
How is Extended Reality Used in Construction?
Extended reality (XR) is changing the way construction projects are planned and executed. Instead of relying only on paper blueprints or static 3D models, you can use XR to see, interact with, and adjust designs in a digital space before building anything.
This technology combines virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) to improve accuracy, coordination, and efficiency on job sites.
Here are some examples of how XR is used in construction:
1. Virtual Walkthroughs Before Construction Begins
With VR, you can walk through a building before it’s even built. This means you’re not just looking at a 2D drawing or a computer screen—you’re inside the space, experiencing it at full scale.
For example, you can check if hallways feel too narrow, if windows bring in enough natural light, or if a room layout makes sense for its intended use. If something doesn’t seem right, you can make changes before construction starts, avoiding costly fixes later.
This is especially useful for project stakeholders who may not have experience reading technical drawings. Instead of trying to visualise how a space will look from a blueprint, they can experience it directly and give more informed feedback.
2. Augmented Reality (AR) for On-Site Work
When you’re on a job site, AR lets you overlay digital models onto the physical environment. Instead of checking paper plans or looking at a tablet, you can see where walls, pipes, or electrical conduits should go—right in front of you.
For example, if you’re an installer working on an electrical system, AR can project a digital version of the wiring onto the actual walls before you start drilling or placing cables. This helps avoid mistakes and rework.
AR is also used to compare progress against the original plans. If something is off, you can catch the issue immediately instead of discovering it later when it’s harder to fix.
3. Mixed Reality (MR) for Team Coordination
MR takes AR a step further by allowing digital models to interact with the real world. If you and your team need to review a project together, you can stand inside a job site and see a 3D model of the structure right in front of you.
This makes it easier to discuss layouts, spot conflicts, and make changes in real time. If a ventilation duct is placed too close to a support beam, you can see the clash before materials are installed and adjust accordingly.
Even if team members are in different locations, MR allows them to meet in a shared virtual space and interact with the same 3D model. Engineers, project managers, and clients can all review the project together, even if they’re miles apart.
4. Training Workers with VR Simulations
Construction sites are dangerous, and proper training is essential. With VR, you can train workers in a controlled digital environment before they step onto a real job site.
For example, instead of explaining safety procedures through a manual or a video, you can put workers into a VR simulation where they have to navigate a construction site safely. They can practice identifying hazards, operating heavy machinery, or responding to emergencies without any risk.
This type of training is also used for specialised tasks. If someone needs to learn how to operate a crane or install a complex system, they can practice in VR first instead of making mistakes on a live project.
5. Quality Control and Inspections
With AR and MR, you can compare a digital model of the project with the actual construction in real time. If something is misaligned or built incorrectly, you don’t have to wait for a formal inspection to catch it—you can see the problem as soon as it happens.
For example, if a structural column is slightly out of place, AR can highlight the discrepancy immediately. Instead of tearing down and rebuilding later, you can correct the issue right away.
This is also useful for client walkthroughs. Instead of waiting until a project is fully built, clients can visit the site and see the final design projected over the unfinished space. If they want changes, adjustments can be made before construction progresses too far.
What Are the Benefits of Extended Reality in Construction?
Extended reality (XR) makes construction projects easier to visualise, safer to execute, and more efficient to manage. It helps construction teams reduce errors, train workers, and collaborate better. Here are the key benefits:
- Enhanced Project Visualisation: XR lets you walk through a project before a single brick is laid. Instead of relying on blueprints or 3D models on a screen, you can step inside a virtual version of the building and experience it at full scale.
- Improved Safety Training: XR allows workers to train in a risk-free, virtual environment before stepping onto an actual job site. Workers can practice handling heavy machinery, navigating hazardous areas, and responding to emergencies without real-world dangers.
- Cost and Time Efficiency: XR helps catch design issues before construction starts, reducing rework and material waste. Overlaying digital plans onto the real job site ensures everything is built correctly the first time.
- Better Collaboration: XR allows multiple stakeholders—architects, engineers, contractors, and clients—to meet in a shared virtual space. Even if they are in different locations, they can review and adjust 3D models together in real time.
What Are the Best Extended Reality Tools for Construction?
Autodesk Revit + VR Plugins
Revit is a leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, and when combined with XR plugins, it becomes a powerful tool for immersive design visualisation and coordination.
Autodesk Revit + VR Plugins Key XR Features for Construction:
- Enscape/VRay for Revit – Real-time rendering with VR support to walk through 3D models with accurate lighting and materials.
- Autodesk Revit Live – Converts BIM models into interactive VR experiences for stakeholder presentations.
- Prospect by IrisVR – Enables VR collaboration on Revit models, allowing teams to leave markups and annotations in real time.
- Twinmotion Plugin – Syncs Revit models into Twinmotion for quick, interactive VR walkthroughs.
Microsoft HoloLens
The HoloLens is a Mixed Reality (MR) headset that allows users to overlay BIM models onto real-world job sites. It provides an advanced, hands-free way to interact with 3D construction data.
Microsoft HoloLens Key XR Features for Construction:
- HoloLens Trimble Connect: Allows users to view full-scale BIM models on-site, making it easy to compare planned vs. actual construction.
- Holographic Work Instructions: Provides step-by-step visual guides for assembly, reducing human error.
- Hand and Voice Controls: Enables interaction with digital models using gestures and voice commands, keeping hands free for work.
- Remote Collaboration (Dynamics 365 Guides): Allows off-site engineers to see what on-site workers see and provide real-time assistance.
Unity and Unreal Engine
These game engines are widely used for creating high-fidelity VR and AR experiences in construction. They provide the flexibility to build custom XR applications tailored to project needs.
Unity and Unreal Engine Key XR Features for Construction:
- BIM Model Import (Unity Reflect & Datasmith for Unreal): Direct integration with Revit and other CAD software for seamless XR experiences.
- Real-Time Ray Tracing (Unreal Engine): High-quality rendering for photorealistic VR presentations.
- Interactive Digital Twins: Creates live-linked 3D models that update with real-time sensor data.
- Customisable VR Training Simulations: Develops safety training modules to simulate hazardous site conditions.
Fuzor and Trimble XR10
Fuzor is a real-time construction simulation tool that integrates with Revit and Navisworks, while Trimble XR10 is a HoloLens-integrated hard hat designed for job site use.
Fuzor and Trimble XR10 Key XR Features for Construction:
- 4D Construction Sequencing (Fuzor): Simulates and optimises construction schedules in an interactive VR environment.
- Clash Detection in VR (Fuzor): Identifies conflicts between MEP, structural, and architectural elements in an immersive view.
- Site Overlay with AR (Trimble XR10): Projects BIM models onto physical construction sites for alignment verification.
- Integrated Safety Compliance Checks (Trimble XR10): Uses mixed reality overlays to assess site safety and compliance before execution.
More on Interscale Education Blog: What is BIM Clash Detection? Understanding the Concept, Types, and Tools
Learn to Apply XR in Construction
Extended reality is becoming an important tool in construction. If you’re not using XR in your workflow yet, you might be missing out on efficiency gains that competitors are already using.
But to make the most of XR, you need a solid foundation in BIM and CAD software.
Interscale Education offers certified online BIM and CAD courses to help AEC professionals work more efficiently with XR tools. As an Autodesk Gold Partner, we provide structured learning focused on real-world applications.
Here’s how our online course can help your learning process:
- Comprehensive Course Library: Over 100 certified courses covering Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and more.
- Hands-On Learning: Real-world projects that show you how to apply BIM and CAD workflows in construction.
- Expert Instruction: Instructors with 60+ years of combined IT and construction expertise.
- Flexible, On-Demand Access: Learn from 60,000+ minutes of video content whenever it fits your schedule.
- Industry-Recognised Certification: Gain credentials backed by Autodesk Gold Partner status that help advance your career and keep you competitive in the industry.
With these skills, you’ll be able to create immersive project presentations, conduct virtual site inspections, and enhance construction workflows with XR. Boost your career with a certified BIM and CAD online course—sign up today!
