Arup’s award winning Virtual Engage Digital offering
Adrian leads the Digital Insight West Team and specialises in Digital Leadership and Software Product Management at @Arup.
Where did it all start?
For a few years now, our award winning virtual exhibitions have allowed the public to access information, view maps and drawings, watch scheme fly throughs and share feedback from any location at any time.
Using Arup hosted software, we produce a 360 degree scan of a real exhibition hall — or we can build a virtual room — and host it online. People can navigate the hall, opening panels to read information and watch media before leaving their comments on proposed plans. This offers users the feeling of being in a real consultation environment from the comfort of their home, especially important now in these challenging COVID-19 times.
Advantages of the Arup approach
• Accessibility: People who are too busy or unable to visit a traditional consultation event can still take part. During the COVID-19 outbreak, many of our clients are looking for alternative ways to keep important projects on track. Virtual exhibitions can help to support communication and engagement when physical consultation events are not possible.
• Value for money: Venue, staff, material printing and production and travel costs associated with physical events are all reduced. Processing and responding to feedback is also more streamlined as it’s all done online.
• Reaching new demographics: By offering greater convenience, a wider range of views and opinions can be fed in which enhances scheme acceptance. 97% of visitors for one exhibition fell into the 25 to 44 age group — a demographic typically difficult to engage with through traditional consultation events.
How is Arup Virtual Engage evolving?
We are continuously looking at ways to enhance the user experience further and some examples of recent improvements are in: accessibility, including Audio Descriptions; Interactive Maps; Augmented Reality; and live chat options.
To experience Arup Virtual Engage at its best please click here to enter the room. If you would like to discuss how Arup can tailor a virtual room for your needs and brand identity please contact us.
If you would like to learn more about Digital at Arup, you can meet the team and read more about our work here. We are always open to feedback and new digital ideas that help us shape a better world.
