Honestly, I’ve had the opposite happen—caught stuff in a digital model that I’d totally missed on-site.
That happens to me too! There’s something about zooming way in on a model that makes even the tiniest mistake jump out. But then again, I swear half my “aha!” moments come from walking the space and seeing how light actually hits a wall or how furniture feels in real life. Digital models are like my safety net for the little stuff, but nothing beats the vibe check you get in person... maybe I just need both to keep my sanity.
Digital models are like my safety net for the little stuff, but nothing beats the vibe check you get in person...
Funny thing is, I’ve had projects where the “vibe check” actually threw me off. Sometimes a space feels totally different once it’s staged or after a few days of use. Digital models let me test out a dozen layouts before anyone even steps inside, which has saved me from some expensive mistakes. I get the appeal of walking the site, but I’d argue digital models catch more than just the little stuff—sometimes they’re the only way I spot big-picture issues before they become real headaches.
I get where you’re coming from—digital models have saved my bacon more than once, especially with open concept spaces where flow is tricky to judge on paper. But I still find that after a few days living in a space, you notice things the model just can’t show, like weird echoes or how sunlight hits at 4pm. I guess for me, it’s not either/or. I’ll run through a bunch of digital layouts, then do a walk-through and tweak based on what actually feels right. Sometimes you just need both tools in your kit.
I hear you on the digital models—they’re a lifesaver for visualizing layouts, but there’s always something that slips through the cracks. I’ve had projects where the model looked perfect, but once we started demo, the acoustics were way off or the natural light just didn’t work with our energy goals. Curious—do you ever use environmental sensors or data loggers during your walk-throughs to catch stuff like temp swings or humidity? I’ve found those can highlight issues that even a good model misses.
I totally get where you’re coming from—digital models are great, but they can’t tell you how a space *feels* once you’re actually in it. I’ve run into the same thing with daylighting; the model says one thing, but then you walk through at 2pm and it’s a sauna. I started bringing a temp/humidity logger on site after a project where condensation kept popping up in weird spots. It’s not foolproof, but it’s saved me from some headaches. Models are awesome, but nothing beats boots on the ground with a few gadgets in your pocket.
