April 2017

10 BUILD / April 2017 , Imagination Is the Only Limitation Creating a smart virtual reality application for both real estate developers and architects, Grandpano studio have designed a solutionwhich allows clients to take a look inside unbuilt properties andmake them feel as though they are actually there. We invited Ivan Daško to tell us more about this unique experience. As part of its innovative and dynamic approach, last year Grandpano introduced their new product called All in One Virtual Reality, which was awarded by Chivas Venture as the most innovative idea. Recently, they have been awarded in BUILD’s – Technology Top 50. These awards recognise the innovative designs displayed by game- changing firms, like Grandpano. Creating a photorealistic virtual reality walk-trough for any device or any platform which bring virtual reality pricing down on earth again. With their focus being on virtual reality, Ivan details how they achieve this. “Cooperating with leading real estate developers and architects such as Zaha Hadid and Renzo Piano. Our product is used by both architects and real estate developers. We are here to change customer experience and let clients experience a walkthrough of not-yet existing real estate projects. Therefore, we are creating a virtual reality applications that will emotionally connect users with properties. “Primarily, our focus is on virtual reality and over the last 3-years we have been able to provide a completely new level of presentation to the European real estate market. The result of this, is that real estate developers are increasing pre-sale number, building brand awareness and are creating a positive company image.” When undertaking a new client or a new project, Ivan explains the way in which Grandpano approaches a new project is by ensuring they achieve the best possible outcome. “By offering clients the all-in- one package, they don’t have to do a compromise of whether to use video, visualizations or a web application to attract their potential customers. This opportunity allows customers to create their own photorealistic visualizations, videos or just turn on their virtual tour for Google Cardboard by one click.” With a strong team of architects, urbanists, programmers and IT who work tirelessly to develop the best virtual reality performance that bring remarkable results. Marking them out as the best option for their clients, Ivan highlights the way they achieve this. “One solution – all needs. We do our own research on neuroplasticity to ensure we deliver the best virtual experience to each target group. One of our techniques is that we use a lot of tricks that let the brain think it is in the real world. That’s how we create emotions that would be connected to a brand or a product via virtual reality and sell.” Within the wider industry, Ivan discusses some of the ways in which the company distribute their knowledge and expertise. “We have set a goal to educate the people around us, such as the marketers and developers about virtual reality. Many of them think of 360 panoramas as of the virtual reality benchmark. Hence why we organize workshops and conferences for industry developers and architects within our area. Alongside this, we also present at tech and innovation conferences as well as at trade expos and around Europe.” It is inevitable that most businesses will face some challenges in their time and for Grandpano theirs are always connected to the needs of the client. They have a created a wide creative team but they also have a lot of specialists to help deliver the best outcome. However, as Ivan informs us, these challenges have strengthened the values of the company. “For one of the biggest European real estate companies, Signa and their Renzo Piano project we created special VR solution. We have created special views and videos, that were created from precisely measured angles which now accurately simulate the exact sunrise, sunset and night, just like in real life. The experience allows you to walk through your future apartment and see the sunrise in the morning of 2020.” In terms of the success the company have had over the years, although the one that stands out the most is their ‘Smart City’ project, as Ivan explains. “We have created many projects for big developers and well known architects such as Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano etc. However, the most challenging project that we have created and one that is still currently evolving, is the urban planning in virtual reality for a whole Smart future city in a total area of 285 hectares. With the complexity of features and scale of the project makes it currently one of the biggest and most complicated virtual reality projects in the world. The Smart City virtual reality project is designed to help local authorities, architects and investors to plan and take the right decision in the future.” As for the overall aims of the company and the strategies in which they aim to achieve this, Ivan reflects on where they are now and where he hopes the company will go. 1703BU08