ABOUT YARD

What is YARD?

YARD is an Augmented Reality (AR) application developed by Arup as a tool for people to work together to design and test out how interventions such as new seating would work in public space. YARD lets users choose and place virtual objects in real space, building virtual scenes to plan and test different design interventions. Users can explore how places would look and feel, by walking through real spaces and looking through the app to see how new interventions would fit in. 

YARD is a powerful tool to bring people together to negotiate and discuss design proposals and scenarios.  

Through visual interaction between imagined and real space, YARD enables different people to effectively communicate their preferences to each other, and to designers, planners and city authorities. The strong visual outputs can support stakeholders and decision makers in considering the potential of future design scenarios. Designers can then build on users’ experiences and preferences, through conversations, interviews and facilitated workshops, to better understand what types of interventions residents and other stakeholders would like to see in their neighbourhoods.  

" As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees. — Valerie Andrews, writer and filmmaker "

The ReWild Version of YARD

The ReWild version of YARD was adapted to allow children and other users to co-develop and visualise solutions for rewilding their neighbourhood. The main additions in the app are different natural elements and urban features that can be used to address environmental and urban challenges. This version of YARD also includes a storytelling feature, which teaches users about important elements of a habitat, and the principles that underpin real rewilding. The design ideas created through ReWild with YARD can be saved on the device, and used for other workshops, or uploaded to a virtual map to be shared more widely. 

The following elements are included in the ReWild version of YARD:

All the YARD assets - items like bird box, insect hotel, cherry tree, flower pot, green wall, rain garden

How the App Works

YARD takes you through a story-telling journey to design environmentally rich spaces through augmented reality. It helps you to learn about the environment you are exploring and the design choices that you make.  

After you have done an initial scan of the area in which you want to intervene, you will be offered a range of elements to choose from. Discovery Cards will give environmental insights based on the elements that you start placing. You can also investigate the elements by clicking on the button that appears as you walk closer to them.  

Scan the area around you and select an asset; Tap on button to place asset; Select an object to move or delete;
Walk up to assets and investigate; Take pictures; ReWild your city! Have fun!

As you walk around your design, the app will invite you to reflect on the combinations of elements that you are creating. For example, if you decide to plant 4 trees that belong to the same species, you will get a card inviting you to try a wider variety of species to improve biodiversity.

An exciting addition to this version of YARD are the LEGO® creatures that you can unlock along the journey if your design achieves positive environmental outcomes for your local area. You can also take pictures of your design which will automatically be saved to your device. 

Have a look at how ReWild with YARD works in this video!