We now live in a world where there’s no shortage of AECO tools. Construction has never had more technology available to solve jobsite challenges. So the question isn't whether new tools exist. It’s which ones actually make it easier for teams to do their jobs and build with confidence.
Augmented reality is one of those technologies that's quickly moving beyond the hype. Folks are starting to see that AR can give field teams a practical way to visualize work before it's built, so they can reduce rework and make faster decisions.
In this episode, I sit down with Caner Dolas, CEO and co-founder of GAMMA AR, to discuss how augmented reality is bringing BIM data into the field and why accessibility, simplicity, and adoption matter just as much as the technology itself.
We discuss:
Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto the physical world, giving teams a clearer picture of what needs to happen before work begins. As GAMMA AR CEO and co-founder Caner Dolas explains, "When we're talking about augmented reality, it's about adding information to reality." In construction, that means crews can "preview the work and then have a better understanding of what is about to come."
That visibility has practical applications throughout a project. Teams can compare digital models against the jobsite before installation, verify completed work, and spot potential issues before they turn into rework.
One of the biggest misconceptions about augmented reality is that it's only useful for checking completed work. While that's certainly one use case, Caner says it's "just part of the story. It's not the full picture." The real value comes earlier in the construction process. AR gives superintendents and foremen the ability to "look into the future" by overlaying digital models onto the physical jobsite before work is installed.
He describes it as giving field leaders "a superpower to foresee what's about to come." With that added context, teams can identify potential conflicts and coordinate more effectively across trades.
For years, BIM models contained valuable project information, but much of it stayed in the office. Field teams relied on printed drawings, which Caner points out are "still something very important" because they work well in many situations. But AR fills a gap that 2D plans can't always address.
Make complex spaces easier to understand
In highly coordinated areas with multiple building systems, 2D drawings can only show so much. AR overlays BIM data onto the jobsite, making it easier to visualize how different elements fit together before work begins.
Help less-experienced crews work with confidence
Construction continues to face skilled labor shortages, and not every crew has decades of field experience. According to Caner, AR "makes it very simple to understand by overlaying elements into their work," giving teams more context without requiring them to mentally translate complex drawings into the physical space.
This is where GAMMA AR comes in.
GAMMA AR is designed to bring BIM data out of the office and onto the jobsite. The platform takes Revit, Navisworks, IFC, DWG, and point cloud data, then overlays those models onto the physical site so general contractors, owners, and trade partners can see what's planned before it's built.
The software also helps teams coordinate work more effectively and make better decisions in the field. Superintendents can quickly check for trade clashes, identify areas where drawings may be out of date, and flag installation issues before they snowball into rework. Instead of waiting for answers, teams can discuss potential solutions on site and decide what to do next together.
While AR headsets often get the most attention, GAMMA AR has intentionally focused on tablets and smartphones. As Caner explains, the reason is straightforward: "Everybody has phones, everybody has tablets. It's super scalable." That makes it much easier to get the technology into the hands of field teams and, as he puts it, "help the most people."
Caner also believes tablets create a better collaborative experience. With a headset, one person is immersed in the model. With a tablet, teams can stand together, review the same information, and "share the same perspective" while discussing what should happen next.
Headsets still have a future, though. Caner expects they'll become more practical as they evolve into something closer to everyday glasses. But for now, "everybody knows how to press a button" on a phone or tablet, while headset interfaces require more training. For many contractors, familiar devices remain the fastest path to adoption.
According to Caner, AR delivers the biggest impact during two key phases of construction.
Before concrete is poured
Before it's too late to make changes, teams can verify that sleeves, openings, and other critical interfaces are in the right location. As Caner explains, "These are interfaces. Things are going to go through, and that's what you need to check."
During MEP installation
This is where AR really shines. It's common for one trade to install work before another arrives, only to discover later that both systems need the same space. With AR, crews can spot those conflicts before everything is built. "I have to deviate in this area because something else is going to go through," Caner says.
Even if an issue has already made it into the field, AR still helps. Superintendents can document the problem, then ask, "Can we fix this in some other way? Can we reroute this, or do we need to rework?" Instead of reacting after the fact, teams can have an informed discussion while there's still time to choose the best path forward.
When it comes to AR limitations, Caner says the biggest issue isn't the technology itself. It's setting the wrong expectations. AR isn't intended to replace high-precision tools like total stations or laser scanners, and users need to understand that slight alignment drift can occur.
"The risks are mitigatable," Caner says, but crews need to know they exist and understand how to correct them. GAMMA AR includes both automatic and manual methods to resolve drift, and the company continues to improve automatic alignment to keep models locked to the structure or designated markers on site.
The takeaway? AR works best when teams understand what it's designed to do and how to use it effectively.
Rolling out AR isn't just about the technology. It's about the people using it. According to Caner, "people matter the most." In his experience, all it takes is one superintendent or foreman who's willing to try something new. "They will use it, other people will see, they will inspire other people to do the same, and then it kind of moves by itself."
Support from BIM and VDC teams is just as important. Rather than handing field teams every model and expecting them to figure it out, Caner recommends preparing views that match each phase of construction. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes a big difference. The goal isn't to reduce model size. It's to make the information easier to understand and digest, so crews have exactly what they need without being overwhelmed.
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week. Listen to the Digital Builder Podcast on:
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