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Understanding the Effects of Virtual Reality System Usage on Spatial Perception: The Potential Impacts of Immersive Virtual Reality on Spatial Design Decisions

Author

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  • Sahand Azarby

    (College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA)

  • Arthur Rice

    (College of Design, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA)

Abstract

The main component of any Virtual Reality (VR) system is the human user. The ways in which a VR system shapes human experience can affect design outcomes. This research explores the differences in spatial perception between an immersive Virtual Reality Interactive Environment (IVRIE) and traditional Virtual Reality (also known as a desktop-based Virtual Reality system, abbreviated herein as the DT system). Spatial perception and the cognition of the spatial factors of virtual spaces were studied based on different features of the two systems, including the sense of immersion, forms of interaction, experience of human scale, and movement through virtual spaces. This study focused on determining how users’ spatial decision making and performance were affected by differences in spatial perception created by the IVRIE and DT systems. Factors examined included the differences between and within the two virtual systems, based on differences in texture, system usage sequence, and the complexity of the experiential/spatial guidelines. Descriptive and inferential statistical testing using quantitative and qualitative data were used to find differences in spatial perception and decision making. The results showed significant space size variations produced by participants between and within the two different VR systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Sahand Azarby & Arthur Rice, 2022. "Understanding the Effects of Virtual Reality System Usage on Spatial Perception: The Potential Impacts of Immersive Virtual Reality on Spatial Design Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:10326-:d:892466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peng Wang & Peng Wu & Jun Wang & Hung-Lin Chi & Xiangyu Wang, 2018. "A Critical Review of the Use of Virtual Reality in Construction Engineering Education and Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Mojtaba Noghabaei & Arsalan Heydarian & Vahid Balali & Kevin Han, 2020. "Trend Analysis on Adoption of Virtual and Augmented Reality in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry," Data, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Hugo C. Gómez-Tone & John Bustamante Escapa & Paola Bustamante Escapa & Jorge Martin-Gutierrez, 2021. "The Drawing and Perception of Architectural Spaces through Immersive Virtual Reality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sahand Azarby & Arthur Rice, 2022. "User Performance in Virtual Reality Environments: The Capability of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems in Enhancing User Spatial Awareness and Producing Consistent Design Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Saverio Piccininni & Mine Dastan & Fabio Vangi & Michele Fiorentino, 2025. "MAGIC: Multi-User Advanced Graphic Immersive Configurator for Sustainable Customization of Complex Design Products—A Sailing Yacht Case Study," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Ying Cao & Giap-Weng Ng & Sha-Sha Ye, 2023. "Design and Evaluation for Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environment: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Azmir Mamat Nawi & Siti Suhaily Surip & Nurullizam Jamiat & Hasnul Azwan Azizan, 2024. "Assessing the Influence of Virtual Reality on Industrial Design Student’s Performance with Varying Levels of Spatial Ability," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3s), pages 4499-4520, October.
    5. Jose Luis Saorin & Carlos Carbonell-Carrera & Allison J. Jaeger & Dámari Melián Díaz, 2023. "Landscape Design Outdoor–Indoor VR Environments User Experience," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, January.

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