BOWA Uses Matterport to Enhance Design Process with 3D

At BOWA, continuous improvement is one of our core values and it is evident in all facets of the company. Perhaps the area that receives the greatest focus is the experiences our clients have throughout every stage of their renovation, including design. This is why in 2023, BOWA’s In-House Design Team began utilizing Matterport, a platform that transforms real-life spaces into digital twin models. This technology has modernized the way we document a home’s existing conditions by making the process both faster and more accurate.

“While Matterport’s software has been around for several years, we decided to wait for a camera to come out with a level of precision that meets our standards,” said Jim Harris, Vice President of Business Development. “When used correctly, Matterport is the next best thing to physically being in a space. By walking our clients through these 3D virtual tours, we’re able to discuss their project in great detail, and can even do so over Zoom.”

The first step in creating a 3D tour of the existing space is to scan the house. This data is then securely uploaded to the Matterport Cloud where images are processed (aka where the magic happens). The system can identify objects in the room to stitch photos together, creating a 3D tour, accurate space measurements, and an immersive experience that can be viewed anywhere and on any device. When combined with the 3D renderings and walkthroughs of the proposed renovations, it becomes a powerful package for our clients.

“We used to spend anywhere from half a day to multiple days measuring a house,” explained Jim. “Now, with Matterport, the process takes just one to two hours AND we get the added benefit of the virtual walkthrough for the entire team to reference during pre-construction.”

See below for a video demonstrating a virtual walkthrough of a home’s existing conditions to get a sense of how powerful the tool can be during project planning.