ARID: Transforming Home Remodeling with Augmented Reality

Yu Chun Huang’s ARID app redefines interior design through immersive AR technology.

Home remodeling often involves envisioning new color schemes, materials, and layouts, yet traditional design tools like 2D CAD or basic 3D simulations frequently fall short in delivering a lifelike preview. ARID addresses this gap by leveraging advanced AR/VR technology, enabling users to overlay virtual materials onto physical walls and incorporate natural lighting effects. This innovation reduces reliance on physical samples and empowers homeowners to make informed decisions about their living spaces.

Distinct from conventional design applications, ARID creates an immersive environment where users can interact with their surroundings using intuitive hand gestures. Through AR/VR headsets, individuals can scan their rooms, apply new materials, and arrange virtual furniture in real time. The system’s seamless integration of virtual and physical elements allows for a highly interactive experience, making the remodeling process both engaging and efficient.

Technically, ARID is built on the Unity platform and operates with the Quest 3 AR/VR headset, utilizing Meta’s Mixed Reality Utility Kit. The application features room scanning for precise spatial mapping, virtual wall generation, a hand-based interface for material selection, and a furniture placement tool. The use of passthrough camera technology ensures that virtual objects blend naturally with the existing environment, even allowing transparent materials to reveal the real space behind them.

Research underpinning ARID highlights the evolution of design tools from physical models to VR and AR applications. While phone-based AR apps offer some visualization capabilities, they are limited by small screens and lack the depth required for comprehensive remodeling. ARID overcomes these limitations by providing a full-scale, immersive experience that integrates material and color changes with real-world lighting and spatial accuracy, particularly enhancing bathroom remodeling projects.

One of ARID’s key achievements lies in its ability to calculate precise room and tile dimensions, ensuring that virtual materials fit perfectly without distortion. This level of accuracy, combined with the immersive qualities of VR and the contextual awareness of AR, sets ARID apart from traditional CAD systems. The result is a tool that not only streamlines the design process but also leads to more satisfying and informed choices for homeowners.

ARID’s innovative approach has been recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award in Interface, Interaction, and User Experience Design for 2025. Esteemed for its creative ingenuity and technical excellence, ARID exemplifies how the fusion of art, science, and technology can elevate quality of life and redefine the future of interior design.

As ARID continues to advance, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of augmented reality in architecture and design, offering a glimpse into a future where imagination and reality seamlessly converge.