New Mayo business helps self-builders avoid costly mistakes with 3D VR technology

A new Mayo-based business is helping homeowners avoid costly design mistakes by allowing them to walk through homes before construction begins.

The WalkThru Studio, founded by geospatial professional Lorna Conlon, uses immersive 3D Virtual Reality technology to transform plans into life-sized walkthrough experiences. Clients can review layouts, room sizes and flow before building work starts.

The service is believed to be the first dedicated residential VR walkthrough studio of its kind in Ireland. It allows homeowners, architects, interior designers, kitchen designers and developers to experience projects at full scale before construction begins.

Building a home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. Yet many homeowners are asked to make significant decisions based on 2D drawings that can be difficult to fully understand. The WalkThru Studio bridges that gap by allowing clients to step inside their future home and experience the space exactly as it is designed.

Using a VR headset, clients can physically walk through kitchens, living areas, bedrooms and circulation spaces, helping them understand how a home will function in everyday life.

The idea for The WalkThru Studio was born when Ms Conlon, having completed her own self-build journey and supported family members through theirs, recognised a common challenge: people often struggle to visualise spaces from plans alone.

With more than 14 years' experience in the geospatial and digital engineering sector, specialising in 2D and 3D data capture, modelling and visualisation, Ms Conlon saw an opportunity to bring technology commonly used on large infrastructure and engineering projects into the residential market.

Speaking about the launch, Ms Conlon said: "After going through a self-build myself and supporting family through theirs, I realised just how difficult it can be to truly understand a home from plans alone. Small decisions made on paper can have a huge impact once you're living in the space."

"WalkThru Studio gives people the opportunity to experience their home before it's built. They can walk through rooms, understand how spaces connect, review layouts and make decisions with confidence before construction begins."

"Our goal is simple: help people build better homes, reduce costly changes and make the entire process less stressful. Whether you're a homeowner, architect or designer, seeing a space at full scale changes the conversation completely."

Based in Mayo and serving clients throughout Ireland, The WalkThru Studio works with homeowners, self-builders, architects, interior designers, kitchen designers and developers looking to improve decision-making before construction begins.

For more information visit www.thewalkthrustudio.com.