Putting The Tech In Architecture

Data analytics combined with responsible design will create better experiences in our built environment.

- Benu Joshi Routh

The Tewaris are betting big on technology. The Delhi-based architect couple, Gautam and Tithi, has scaled down their design practice and poured their personal funds into creating a virtual reality (VR) startup, SmartVizX, which builds fully immersive technology solutions for the building industry, bringing together all stakeholders in the design process to collaborate. Called Trezi, their product enables a one-click VR walkthrough of one or more 3D design models, and the reviewing and editing of designs early in the project’s life cycle. It empowers the client as partners in the design process.

Raising $2 million so far (in preseries A funding from YourNest Venture Capital and the Indian Angel Network), the company has on-boarded some of the largest architectural firms like Gensler, Venkataramanan Associates, Raheja Universal and real estate firms like CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield.

“We are at the cusp of a very important technological shift in the whole world. Spatial computing will become an intrinsic part of architecture, where there will be a lot of data mining of what works for the end user. We will design according to that data. Your future designs are going to be ruled a lot by the feedback loop,” says Tithi, founder and MD, SmartVizX.

However, there are challenges. “The real estate and architecture sectors in India are archaic, using obsolete design methods and outdated techniques. Real estate is the second last sector when it comes to technology adoption,” says Tithi Tewari.