
WDBE UPDATES // WDBE Talks episode 12 released
The Importance of Immediacy: Talking BIM, VR/AR, and Supersensor Integration with Rune Huse Karlstad.
In this episode of WDBE talks, we sat down with Rune Huse Karlstad of Varjo Technologies to talk through the real-world use of VR/AR hardware and the capacity for BIM technologies to integrate and visualise sensor data to help add value for clients. Our discussion covered the increasing role VR headsets play for the sector, obstacles to adoption, and what Covid 19 revealed about the reality of where we are with tech implementations.
Guest of this episode:
Rune Huse Karlstad is the Business Developer for AEC, Oil, and Gas with Varjo. After starting his career as a skilled construction worker, Karlstad became an advocate for BIM technologies after retraining as a BIM Construction Engineer at Fagskolen Oslo. This led to him operating as a BIM Technician with Rambøll and BIM Co-Ordinator with ADF Gruppen before focusing on design review, sites inspections, and remote collaboration.
You can meet Rune at WDBE 2021 Summit on September 28, 2021, where he will be a keynote speaker. You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org.
Get your ticket to the WDBE Summit 28–29 Sept 2021 (199€ + VAT)

“I think people underestimate the potential of actually experiencing your models in 3D. Look at how things are done today – it’s 3D models on a 2D plane, just a computer screen. That can make it hard to fully understand the design layout and for clients to engage with. It’s often difficult for them to relate that to a drawing or understand the space they’re given when starting to work on a project. Using 3D models and virtual reality allows us to experience the models one-to-one scale as they would if the building were finished. It’s a huge benefit, especially when it comes to the time it takes for everyone to understand the basics and get feedback. People can lose days looking at paper drawings and not fully get the grasp of what you’re building or what you’re getting. But being inside VR? It’s much more efficient.”
Our discussion covered:
– The real-world benefits of deploying BIM and VR in unison
– The importance of securing quality client feedback
– The challenges of tech implementations during Covid
– The need to remove obstacles to adoption for VR/AR technologies
– Future threats and opportunities for the industry
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More Updates
Meet Dr. Pallavi Mohan, Senior Scientist and Solutions Architect at NVIDIA AI Technology Center
Pallavi is a senior scientist and solutions architect at NVIDIA. She collaborates with research
institutes and customers to solve exciting challenges in the digital twin research space using
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You can learn more about Pallavi’s thoughts on WDBE Talks, the podcast for the World of
Digital Built Environment. To hear her keynote and meet her in person, come to WBDE in
September 2023.
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Meet Marzia Bolpagni, Head of BIM International at Mace
Marzia is a building engineer by background. She became interested in BIM, Building
Information Modeling, during her studies at the University of Brescia, in her hometown in
northern Italy.
You can learn more about Marzia’s thoughts on WDBE Talks, the podcast for the World of
Digital Built Environment. To hear her keynote and meet her in person, come to WBDE in
September 2023.
Meet Michelle Xuereb, the AEC Sustainability Innovator
Don’t miss Michelle Xuereb’s keynote speech at WDBE in September 2023.
The world faces a climate crisis, and the built environment is key to mitigating and adapting. Michelle Xuereb, the Director of Innovation at BDP Quadrangle, sees innovation as crucial to the transition to sustainable construction, and architects have a vital role in the process. She’s on a mission to build a culture of innovation within the BDP practice
and upskill designers to meet future requirements.
Simulation-Powered Planning for Sustainable Building Projects with Pyry Haahtela, COO Haahtela TVD
Simulation-Powered Planning for Sustainable Building Projects
with Pyry Haahtela
The sustainability of a construction project should not be an afterthought but a crucial
consideration from the start. Pyry Haahtela, the COO of Haahtela TVD, shared his views on
when and how clients and developers can best manage the carbon footprint of their
projects with simulation.
WDBE-talks: From Objects to Sustainable Experiences with Michelle Xuereb
In this episode of WDBE Talks, Michelle Xuereb, the Director of Innovation at BDP
Quadrangle shares her insights on sustainability, innovation, and new approaches to
creating built environments. As one of the keynote speakers at WDBE in September 2023,
Michelle is a prominent voice in the field.