How AI Helps Architects See Buildings More Clearly
At Bury Associates, we are committed to providing cutting-edge tools and services that help our customers to envision, design, and deliver projects with confidence. Recently our integration of Matterport’s new Defurnishing AI feature into our services has caused quite a stir! This groundbreaking technology allows architects to instantly visualise any building as if it were completely empty, making it easier than ever to focus on the structure itself without the distractions of clutter or furnishings.
Here’s how this innovative feature works and why it’s a game-changer for architectural design.
What is Matterport’s Defurnishing AI Feature?
Matterport’s Defurnishing AI is a state-of-the-art enhancement to its already powerful 3D virtual tour capabilities. This feature uses advanced artificial intelligence to automatically remove furniture, personal items, and other interior contents from a scanned space. What remains is a clean, unobstructed view of the building’s architectural elements—walls, ceilings, floors, and structural details—just as they would appear in an empty room.
With the click of a button, architects can toggle between the original furnished view and the defurnished version, giving them a fresh perspective on the space.
Why This Matters for Architects
Architects often face challenges when trying to get a full understanding of a building filled with furniture and other clutter. These obstacles can obscure critical design considerations and make it difficult to assess the true potential of a space. Matterport’s Defurnishing AI eliminates this issue, offering numerous benefits:
1. Enhanced Clarity for Design Decisions
Defurnishing AI provides a clear, unobstructed view of the building’s structure, allowing architects to focus entirely on the layout and features that matter most. Whether planning a renovation, an extension, or a complete redesign, this feature ensures nothing gets lost in the visual noise.
2. Improved Client Communication
When discussing ideas with clients, showing a space in its defurnished state can help them better understand your vision. It’s often difficult for clients to imagine what a room will look like once emptied, but with this tool, they can instantly see the potential.
3. Streamlined Workflow
Gone are the days of having to manually edit or interpret 3D scans to visualise a clean space. The Defurnishing AI feature does all the heavy lifting, saving valuable time and effort in the design process.
4. Accurate Measurements and Space Planning
By removing distractions, the defurnished view ensures measurements are more precise and space planning is easier. Architects can identify potential design challenges early, reducing the risk of costly errors.
How We’re Bringing This to You
At Bury Associates, we’ve integrated this feature into our Matterport services to ensure our architect clients can access it seamlessly. When we deliver a Matterport virtual tour of your project site, you’ll now have the option to view both the original scan and the defurnished version at no additional cost. This dual perspective is available across desktop and mobile platforms, ensuring you can work on the go or in the office with ease.
Real-World Applications
The Defurnishing AI feature is ideal for a wide range of architectural projects, including:
- Historic Building Renovations: Visualise the original structure without modern furnishings to assess restoration needs.
- Residential Redesigns: Show clients how their home could look without their existing furniture, making it easier to envision new layouts.
- Commercial Fit-Outs: Plan office or retail spaces without the distraction of the previous tenant’s setup.
One of our recent clients used the Defurnishing AI feature to visualise a cluttered property intended for a major renovation. By toggling between the furnished and defurnished views, they were able to present a clean, compelling design proposal to their client—winning the project with ease.
Unlock the Potential of Every Space
Matterport’s Defurnishing AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a transformative way to approach architectural design. By removing the barriers of visual clutter, it allows architects to focus on what they do best—creating inspiring, functional spaces for their clients.
At Bury Associates, we’re proud to offer this technology as part of our commitment to delivering innovative, client-focused solutions. If you’re ready to take your architectural projects to the next level, contact us today to learn more about our Matterport services and how the Defurnishing AI feature can revolutionise the way you work.
Start visualising spaces as they truly are—with clarity, precision, and simplicity. The future of architectural design is here, and we’re excited to help you make the most of it.
Steve Bury is the Managing Director of Bury Associates, a land and measured building survey company based in the UK. With over 40 years of experience in surveying, Steve Bury established Bury Associates in 1997 to combine the provision of high quality digital surveys with exceptional customer service. Steve has also designed software applications for measuring buildings to automatically create survey drawings.