Donegal Architecture Firm Leverages Virtual Reality to Streamline Home Design Process
CLONMANY, CO. DONEGAL – , Shane Doherty Architecture will exhibit at the Donegal New Build & Re-Build Show at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny, showcasing a novel application of virtual reality (VR) technology designed to enhance the home design experience for clients. The firm, based in Clonmany, is offering prospective homeowners the opportunity to virtually walk through their future homes before construction begins, a service aimed at reducing costly changes and improving client confidence.
Founded in , Shane Doherty Architecture provides a full range of architectural services, from initial concept design through to project completion. The practice serves clients across the North West of Ireland and beyond, specializing in residential, commercial, and sustainable projects. According to the firm, their approach centers on creating spaces that support a client’s lifestyle over the long term, delivering “more than a house design” and focusing on building “the spaces where homes are made.”
The introduction of VR design is a key component of this client-focused approach. The technology allows homeowners to experience the scale, layout, light, and flow of their future homes in a realistic, immersive environment. Shane Doherty Architecture highlights several benefits of this service, including the ability to identify potential design flaws early in the process, minimize expensive alterations during construction, and ultimately save both time and money.
“Using immersive technology, future home owners can experience their design at real life scale and gain a clear understanding of how their home will function day to day,” the firm stated in promotional material for the event.
The benefits, as outlined by Shane Doherty Architecture, include:
- Walking through rooms before construction begins
- Understanding layout, light and flow at real life scale
- Identifying design issues early in the process
- Reducing costly changes during construction
- Saving time, money and unnecessary stress
- Making confident decisions from the outset
Beyond the VR experience, Shane Doherty Architecture offers a comprehensive suite of services. These include full design services from concept to completion, assistance with planning applications for both domestic and commercial projects, traditional 3D design and visualization, and specialized support for the Defective Concrete Block Scheme – a critical issue for homeowners in the region. The firm also provides advice and support for accessing Vacant and Derelict Home Grant schemes.
The Donegal New Build & Re-Build Show, taking place on and , will be open from to each day. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Shane Doherty Architecture stand to meet the team, explore the VR capabilities, and discuss their individual building or rebuilding plans.
Shane Doherty himself is a qualified architect, registered with both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Royal Institute of British Architects. The firm’s philosophy, as stated on its website, centers on the belief that architecture should improve people’s lives, even in small-scale projects. This commitment to client well-being and innovative design solutions appears to be a driving force behind the firm’s growing presence in the Donegal region and beyond.
The firm’s website, launched in , was designed to reflect the quality of their work and has already yielded positive results, with the company ranking highly in Google search results for relevant keywords. According to Shane Doherty, the new website has generated compliments and increased client inquiries.
The Donegal New Build & Re-Build Show also features exhibitors focused on energy efficiency, reflecting a growing consumer interest in sustainable building practices. Attendees can learn about solar panels, heat pumps, ventilation systems, and available government grants for energy-efficient upgrades.
