Rooms App Brings Interactive 3D Design to iOS Devices

The interactive 3D space builder Rooms has officially expanded to the App Store, bringing its creative design platform to iPhone and iPad users. Backed by $10 million in seed funding led by a16z, the project functions as a digital playground where users can construct, customize, and explore virtual environments filled with avatars, pets, and decor.

While the app serves as a creative outlet for interior design enthusiasts, it also functions as an educational tool. Users can transition from visual decoration to functional programming by revealing the underlying code of their objects. The platform utilizes Lua—the same language powering Roblox—to help users, including students in school settings, grasp fundamental coding concepts.

A Community-Driven Creative Hub

The iOS experience introduces a vertically scrolling feed, reminiscent of TikTok, allowing users to browse community-created spaces. The app currently features curated feeds, including “Editor’s Picks,” with plans to implement algorithmic discovery in the future.

• Interactive Features: Users can “like” and share rooms or enter camera mode to capture snapshots. These photos can be imported into their own spaces as custom decor.
• Design Flexibility: The library contains over 6,000 items, ranging from furniture to Voxel 3D objects, which can be modified for size, opacity, and behavior.
• Remix Culture: Creators can use existing rooms as templates. When a space is remixed, the system automatically attributes the original designer.

Founding Vision and Future Development

The project is led by co-founder Jason Toff, who previously worked in Google’s AR/VR division on initiatives like Poly and Blocks. He is joined by co-founders Bruno Oliveira and Nick Kruge, the latter bringing experience from Smule, Uber, and YouTube.

Toff notes that while the app is available on iPhone, the iPad remains the superior device for complex tasks like coding due to screen real estate. The platform has already gained traction, with over 40,000 registered users creating more than 50,000 rooms since its initial web launch.

The team is currently navigating community feedback regarding the integration of generative AI tools. While some users have expressed resistance toward AI-assisted design, Toff believes the technology could significantly lower the barrier to entry for creators. For now, the company is prioritizing mobile stability and user growth over specific AI implementation timelines.