VR in Architecture: Building Empathy

The July 2017 edition of Architect Magazine had a mention of VR in their R&D Awards.

Michael Eichenseer
Jul 26, 2017 · 2 min read
Using VR to simulate user experience in architectural designs.

VR is a valuable tool for real estate and architecture.

It allows users to visualize in full 3D how a building looks when standing inside of it. Whether the building is across the country, or not yet built, VR can be used to show us how the place will feel once we get there.

Architects are taking VR a step further, with empathy.

Architects use VR as a means to preview what their designs might look like when completed, and to understand what people will experience inside their designs. Architects are using VR as an empathy engine.

By setting viewer height to that of a child, architects can better understand how a child will feel when inside their buildings.

Designing a school is no longer a process of guessing what a child will experience. Now architects can see from the viewpoint of a child and design spaces accordingly.

Architects can experience visual and physical disabilities within VR.

By altering the visual quality and/or field of view, architects can experience visual impairment while walking through their buildings. Wearing restrictive weights and clothing can simulate other physical impairments. Architects can improve their designs by experiencing architecture from the perspective of the disabled.

Architecture use empathy to improve design.

The more designers understand the perspectives of their users, the better equipped they will be to design engaging experiences. Exploring buildings in 3D before they are built allows architects to design for all kinds of people. VR let’s architects experience being someone else within their own designs.

This is post 41 of my 90 VR experiment. Join me here for a daily dose of virtual reality design, gameplay, speculation, and adventure.

VRdōjō

Immersive Arts Development. In the traditional sense of a dōjō, VRdōjō is a collaborative space in downtown Kansas City built for VR arts, design, development, and fitness.

Michael Eichenseer

Written by

Writing, VR design, and virtual sports.

VRdōjō

VRdōjō

Immersive Arts Development. In the traditional sense of a dōjō, VRdōjō is a collaborative space in downtown Kansas City built for VR arts, design, development, and fitness.

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