10 Ways Architects and Designers Can Use 3D Virtual Tours to Power Up Their Workflow

You have probably come across a 3D virtual tour on websites like Rightmove or Zoopla, while viewing a property listed by an estate agent. However, 3D virtual tours aren’t just for estate agents. They’re powerful, versatile tools that can radically improve how architects, designers, and construction professionals work.

From surveying and space planning to client presentations and collaboration, virtual tours help architects visualise spaces, gather information remotely, and keep everyone on the same page — without endless site visits.

At Copy and Space, we know this firsthand. That is because we were founded by an architect, and our team is made up of designers. We don’t just scan and go. We understand your workflow, your pain points, and what you need from a survey. We create tours that are precise, intuitive, and tailored to design professionals — not just flashy walkthroughs.

Here are 10 ways architects and designers can use virtual tours to streamline projects, save time, and work smarter.

1. Capture a Full Record of the Existing Building with a 3D Virtual Tour

A virtual tour gives you a visual and spatial record of the site — better than any combination of photos, sketches, or notes. You can revisit the space from any angle, measure features, and spot things you might have missed during your visit.

Whether you’re working on a sensitive refurbishment, a listed building, or just want to avoid the “I forgot to check that wall” moment, a tour keeps a full digital record at your fingertips.

Bonus: It’s perfect for documentation and due diligence before stripping out or demolishing.

2. Design in Context, Not in Isolation

We’ve all seen drawings that look great on paper but fall apart in real space. With a 3D virtual tour, you and your team can explore the environment your design will live in.

Want to check how a new kitchen island will feel? Or whether pendant lights will hang awkwardly below a beam? You can assess these ideas spatially and design based on reality, not guesswork. You can even log ideas to share with your design team within the 3D virtual tour itself by embedding links, videos and images, as you can see in the screenshot below.

Being able to “walk through” the space gives better spatial understanding than floor plans or elevations ever could.

3. Collaborate Seamlessly with the Whole Project Team

You’re rarely designing alone. Architects, interior designers, M&E consultants, contractors — everyone needs to be on the same page.

3D Virtual tours let you add notes, tags, and links, so you can highlight structural issues, suggest design changes, or point out quirks. Instead of describing a problem via email, just link directly to the spot in the tour.

You reduce the back and forth, make decisions faster, and keep everyone working from a shared visual reference.

4. Share the Space with People Who Can’t Visit in Person

Not every team member or client can attend a site visit — especially if they’re based elsewhere, pressed for time, or if access is tricky.

Virtual tours give full access to the space online, 24/7. That means surveyors, engineers, builders, or clients can explore the site as if they were there, even if they’re on the other side of the country (or planet).

No more waiting weeks for someone to “pop by” — just send them the tour link and keep the project moving.

5. Take Accurate Measurements Remotely

No more “I forgot to measure that wall.” (It happens to the best of us!). Virtual tours let you take accurate, to-scale measurements directly within the model — from wall lengths and ceiling heights to beam depths and window recesses.

It’s ideal for sketching layouts, checking clearances, or confirming dimensions with suppliers — without needing to send someone back on site.

Our tours use professional-grade scanning technology (Matterport Pro3), so you can trust the accuracy of the data.

6. Highlight Architectural Features and Design Constraints Within the Virtual Tour

Some buildings have amazing quirks. Others have awkward ones.

3D Virtual tours let you spotlight anything that could influence the design: period features to preserve, awkward soffits to work around, ceiling drops, structural elements — all visible and navigable.

At Copy and Space, our team are trained to anticipate what a designer needs to see — so we make sure these features are clearly captured and scan coverage is complete, not just for show.

7. Support Planning Applications and Presentations

Need to show planners what’s there now? Want to help a client visualise the existing space before seeing your design?

A 3D virtual tour can be added to planning packs, design access statements, or pre-app submissions. It also makes a brilliant tool in client presentations — especially when paired with moodboards, drawings, or proposals.

You can walk them through the space and talk them through your ideas in context, which builds confidence and helps clients feel involved in the process.

8. Use the Tour as Part of a Wider Survey Workflow

Virtual tours don’t replace surveys — they enhance them.

We often combine a 3D walkthrough with measured surveys, point cloud data, or Revit models. That way, you get the immersive visual model plus the technical outputs you need to draw up the scheme.

Because our team understands building design, we know how to scan with an eye for things like structure, services, and circulation — meaning the results are genuinely useful in the design process.

9. Track Progress Over Time

You can scan a building more than once — before works begin, mid-way through, and after completion. This creates a visual timeline of the project.

You can use it for:

• Progress updates for stakeholders

• Internal design checks and comparisons

• Handover documentation

• Before/after portfolios

• Marketing your work

  
  

It’s a fantastic way to capture and communicate how the design evolved, especially if you’re proud of the transformation.

10. Work with a Team Who Speaks Your Language

Here’s the part we think makes the biggest difference: Copy and Space was founded by an architect, and our team is made up of designers.

We understand how buildings work. We know what you’re looking for in a scan. And we know how frustrating it is when a tour misses a key feature or doesn’t capture the ceiling detail you needed to reference.

Working with us means:

• No need to over-explain — we just get it

• Tours that are scoped with design intent in mind

• Insightful suggestions on what to scan and how

• Professional, punctual, and respectful on site

• A partner you can trust to deliver what your design team needs

It’s not just about fancy tech. It’s about having the right eyes behind the camera.

In Summary

A 3D virtual tour is more than just a pretty walkthrough — it’s a practical tool for architects and designers who want to:

• Save time on site

• Collaborate more efficiently

• Improve design accuracy

• Share spaces more easily

• Keep a permanent visual record

• Communicate better with clients and consultants

  
  

And when you work with a team who understand the design process, the results are even more powerful.