Virtual Reality in Architecture

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Type and Duration

FFF-Förderprojekt, June 2018 until May 2020 (finished)

Coordinator

Hilti Chair of Business Process Management

Main Research

Business Process Management

Field of Research

Architectural Design Theory
Big Data Analytics

Description

Virtual reality allows to perceive landscapes, cities and ``space'' in general more intensely and accurately than ordinary technologies that use conventional models of buildings and landscapes shown on standard computer screens or using miniature physical models. The project looked into the question: What information is really needed to understand a VR model ? It focues on applications relevant to architecture. Do we need to see details of a landscape to understand rural or urban plans ? Do we need buildings in 3d or are simple outlines as on 2d maps enough? These and answer questions are faced by every designer of a VR application. Answering these questions incorrectly can have a profound impact on any VR project, by either causing unnecessary costs by adding non-necessary visual elements or by causing a non-pleasant user experience. To study these questions the focus was put on an experiment involving Liechtenstein. A VR application was developed and presented at the Liechtensteiner Digitaltag to the interested public as well as to all university staff. It showed Liechtenstein from different perspectives and different levels of abstraction. The study showed diminishing returns for adding details. Somewhat surprisingly, details can be added either through 3d objects as well as through textures with similar impact.

Practical Application

VR ermoeglicht neue Wege zur Kommunikation von Plaenen zur Stadtentwicklung als auch einzelnen Bau-Projekten. Dieses Projekt erarbeitet Wissen, welches erlaubt geeignete Projekte, Konzepte und Visualisierungen in VR zur effektiven Kommunikation zu waehlen.