Why Immersive? Using an Immersive Virtual Environment in Architectural Education

Hadas Sopher, Yehuda E. Kalay, Dafna Fisher-Gewirtzman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Teaching the process of design is a primary objective of the architectural studio. Due to the complexity of the process, the studio encourages active learning and peer participation during crit sessions. This paper explores the potential of immersive virtual environments (IVEs) for enhancing architectural learning, and proposes a framework for evaluating its educational potential.We have developed a model for coding the three main activities of the architectural design process (analysis, synthesis and evaluation), along with their physical and social settings. The model comprises of units we call Knowledge Construction Activities (KCAs). We suggest that this model presents a detailed description of the environmental implications of each activity. Applying the KCA model to a studio course that used both a traditional classroom and an IVE revealed that the IVE increased the number of synthesis KCAs, and supported effective criticism. Though limited in scope, the results clearly indicate IVEs potential contribution to architecture pedagogy.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationShock - Sharing of Computable Knowledge
EditorsAntonio Fioravanti, Stefano Cursi, Salma Elahmar, Silvia Gargaro, Gianluigi Loffreda, Gabriele Novembri, Armando Trento
PublisherEducation and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe
Pages313-322
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9789491207129
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event35th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, eCAADe 2017 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 20 Sep 201722 Sep 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe
Volume1
ISSN (Print)2684-1843

Conference

Conference35th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, eCAADe 2017
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period20/09/1722/09/17

Keywords

  • Architectural education
  • Design process
  • Immersion
  • Place
  • Virtual environments

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Why Immersive? Using an Immersive Virtual Environment in Architectural Education'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this