Real-time Evaluation of Room Acoustics using IFC-based Virtual Reality and Auralization Engines

Virtual Reality and Auralization are commonly used for separate types of simulation and evaluation in todays’ building industry. Combining the two technologies in order to evaluate room acoustics through real time auraliza-tion is, however, still a novel approach in the industry. Through a case study of a major engineering company with branch offices in both Denmark and Norway, we identified common practises in designing room acoustics, used in the developing of a combined audio-visual system. The system is devel-oped to support dialog between designers and end-users, with no or limited expertise in designing room acoustics. The system is, additionally, developed to widen the use of virtual reality with auralization, by providing a tool mak-ing such use possible.Virtual Reality and Auralization are commonly used for separate types of simulation and evaluation in todays’ building industry. Combining the two technologies in order to evaluate room acoustics through real time auraliza-tion is, however, still a novel approach in the industry. Through a case study of a major engineering company with branch offices in both Denmark and Norway, we identified common practises in designing room acoustics, used in the developing of a combined audio-visual system. The system is devel-oped to support dialog between designers and end-users, with no or limited expertise in designing room acoustics. The system is, additionally, developed to widen the use of virtual reality with auralization, by providing a tool mak-ing such use possible