HARC Releases Virtual Reality Experience of Living Lab HQ

Today, HARC has launched a new virtual reality (VR) experience tool of our Headquarters. This app offers a new, interactive way to understand and appreciate HARC’s commitment to high performance and sustainability wherever you are. The mission of HARC’s state-of-the-art building has always been to serve as a Living Lab, allowing interested users to explore features in sustainable design and operations, and, more importantly, showcase them so others can adopt best practices. 

Since it was built in 2017, HARC set its sights on achieving Net-Zero status and formally received this recognition in November 2019. The building holds multiple energy efficiency and Net-Zero certifications, including LEED Platinum, EPA’s ENERGY STAR rating, IFLI’s Zero Energy, LEED Net Zero, and EPA’s NextGen. In 2022, it was one of only three operational Net-Zero buildings in the USA recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the efficiency of our building operations was also highlighted in a New York Times article. 

HARC has welcomed over 5,000 visitors to its building to date, and with this tool, we are making the building even more accessible to anyone interested in improving the resilience and sustainability of new and existing buildings. 

Some of the features and functionalities of this new VR experience include: 

• True to Scale Digital Twin: Every structure and system within HARC’s VR app is a detailed digital replica of the physical campus and its components. Extensive data and information on the design features and equipment found within the building is available for technical and non-technical users interested in learning more about highly energy efficient buildings. 

• Interactive Learning: Users can enjoy a narrated tour, walk through the facility freely (even climb on the rooftop to view the solar panels), and learn more about how this building was developed by accessing the fact sheets of the main systems. 

• Data Integration: The application connects directly to live HARC building data, presenting accurate energy, lighting, and HVAC performance metrics and emissions saved through an interactive dashboard. 

• Engaging Exploration: An AI-powered virtual assistant, HARC programmatic information, and close-up system views provide a rich, educational experience that blends storytelling with innovation in sustainability and resilience. 

The HARC VR experience highlights key sustainability and resilience strategies developed in collaboration with industry partners and clients. This immersive tool demonstrates the power of data analytics and advanced visualization in training, education, and the ability to inform diverse audiences. It also reflects HARC’s commitment to making innovation accessible and actionable through interactive formats that support better decision-making.  

Step inside HARC’s sustainable campus through the HARC Living Lab VR Experience at bit.ly/4upbtuQ or watch a video tour of the VR Experience at bit.ly/4fo6Hcu.