Lifesize Plans enables buyers to ‘get’ architects and builders

A HUSBAND and wife team invested more than €600,000 into launching a state-of-the-art Ballyfermot business, which uses patented technology to allow clients to walk through their architectural floor plans before construction starts. Lifesize Plans Leinster owners, John and Emma Foley, bring plans to life for clients.

“For many homeowners, it is about being able to understand the plans in detail because, although you may be able to conceptually ‘get’ what your architects and builders are talking to you about, it is not until you see it in a real-life 1:1 scale that you truly understand what that size means for you,” said John.

The idea for the business came about after the couple hit a snag with their own renovation project and, when Emma could not fully visualise the planned extension to their kitchen, John went in search of something that would give them a ‘to scale’ idea of the finished project and found that such a thing did not exist here.

This led him to discover an Australian company, Lifesize Plans, that fulfilled the exact need and they decided to franchise the business exclusively in Ireland.

Emma said: “I like to be able to see things planned out in front of me because I like the confidence that it brings. Seeing floor plans in a life-size scale makes such a big difference and really opens your eyes. It is the biggest priority in your home renovation, self-build, or construction project.

“In a Lifesize Plans walkthrough for a residential home we have beds, couches, tables, walls, kitchen cabinets, toilet, bath, etc. and we can place those in key areas to help the homeowner to see and feel how things look – and fit – within their design.”

The duo started the family business with Emma’s father, John O’Donoghue, at the end of 2022 and carried out significant renovations as part of the hi-tech fit-out of the custom showroom in the Westlink Industrial Estate on Kylemore Road earlier this year.

The space also contains an upper-level observation deck.

The showroom opened at the beginning of summer and clients range from homeowners and architects to builders, developers and interior designers.

The Foleys find that clients make on average 8-10 fundamental design amendments during their visit while there is a significantly higher number of changes on commercial projects, something which John believes will have a significant impact on design and construction projects going forward.

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