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Exploring the Effects of Window Design on the Restorative Potential of Movable Smart Co-Working Offices in Small Village Environments Through Immersive Virtual Reality

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Ciervo

    (Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via San Lorenzo 4, 81031 Aversa, Italy)

  • Massimiliano Masullo

    (Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via San Lorenzo 4, 81031 Aversa, Italy)

  • Maria Dolores Morelli

    (Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via San Lorenzo 4, 81031 Aversa, Italy)

  • Luigi Maffei

    (Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via San Lorenzo 4, 81031 Aversa, Italy)

Abstract

As remote and hybrid work models continue to grow, the design of workspaces and their surrounding environments has gained even more importance. This study explores the impact of window design on the restorative potential of Prefabricated Movable Buildings (PMBs) of smart/co-working located in small villages. Using Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR), seven window configurations, varying in size, frame ratio, and number of glass panes, were evaluated. Participants’ sense of presence, defined as the subjective feeling of ‘being there’ in the virtual environment, and perceived restoration, referring mainly to the psychological (attention and emotions) and physiological (stress) resources recovery, were assessed using, respectively, Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). The overall IPQ results suggest that the virtual environment in this study provides a “High” sense of presence, highlighting the validity of IVR to evaluate architectural designs. The PRS results found that larger, uninterrupted windows with a higher Window-to-Wall Ratio and lower Frame Ratio significantly enhance participants’ perceived restoration. Restoration effects were also higher when offices were located in small villages rather than in business districts. These results highlight the importance of incorporating large windows in smart/co-working spaces within culturally rich small villages to promote worker well-being and office sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Ciervo & Massimiliano Masullo & Maria Dolores Morelli & Luigi Maffei, 2025. "Exploring the Effects of Window Design on the Restorative Potential of Movable Smart Co-Working Offices in Small Village Environments Through Immersive Virtual Reality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5851-:d:1687175
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Massimiliano Masullo & Asli Ozcevik Bilen & Roxana Adina Toma & Gulsen Akin Guler & Luigi Maffei, 2021. "The Restorativeness of Outdoor Historical Sites in Urban Areas: Physical and Perceptual Correlations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Jiayu Li & Bohong Zheng & Komi Bernard Bedra & Zhe Li & Xiao Chen, 2021. "Evaluating the Effect of Window-to-Wall Ratios on Cooling-Energy Demand on a Typical Summer Day," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Hawar Tawfeeq & Amjad Muhammed Ali Qaradaghi, 2024. "Optimising Window-to-Wall Ratio for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Building Intelligence in Hot Summer Mediterranean Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Antonietta Ivona & Lucrezia Lopez, 2025. "Preserving and Developing Small Italian Borghi . An Economic Strategy to Enhance Sustainable Cultural Tourism?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Myung Ja Kim & Choong-Ki Lee & Jinok Susanna Kim & James F. Petrick, 2019. "Wellness Pursuit and Slow Life Seeking Behaviors: Moderating Role of Festival Attachment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-21, April.
    6. Luigi Maffei & Antonio Ciervo & Achille Perrotta & Massimiliano Masullo & Antonio Rosato, 2023. "Innovative Energy-Efficient Prefabricated Movable Buildings for Smart/Co-Working: Performance Assessment upon Varying Building Configurations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-37, June.
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