Using Virtual Reality for Prototyping Interactive Architecture

Even though, three-dimensional representations of architectural models exist, experiencing these models like one would experience a fully constructed building is still a major challenge. With Virtual Reality (VR) it is now possible to experience a number of scenarios in a virtual environment. Also prototyping interactive architecture elements, which might be very expensive, becomes possible. Thus, researchers and designers can already start to define user interfaces for interactive architectural elements, before they were even built. However, it is still an open question how exactly VR technologies can support experiencing interactive architecture. To answer this question, we compared experiencing three-dimensional architectural models and interactive architectural elements through a 2D screen & mouse+keyboard navigation, an head mounted display (HMD) & keyboard navigation, and an HMD & walking for navigation. The results of our study show challenges and opportunities regarding the immersion of these experiences.