Using Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) to Conduct Environmental Design Research: A Primer and Decision Framework

Area of Science:

• Environmental Design Research
• Virtual Reality Applications
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) offer high ecological validity and experimental control for environmental design research.
• Despite benefits, IVEs are underutilized in this field due to a lack of standardized methodological frameworks.
• Existing research lacks a synthesis of methodological decisions for IVE implementation in environmental design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a methodological framework for utilizing immersive virtual environments (IVEs) in environmental design research.
• To address the underutilization of IVEs by providing a structured approach.
• To guide researchers in leveraging IVEs for design visualization and evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Defining key concepts: virtual reality (VR), IVEs, ecological validity, and different types of realism (visual, behavioral, contextual).
• Summarizing available study designs: correlational, experimental, and performance evaluations.
• Reviewing software systems for IVE creation.

Main Results:

• A conceptual framework linking research questions and study designs to IVE selection and ecological validity.
• A practical workflow for the creation and application of IVEs in research settings.
• Identification of essential concepts and methodologies for effective IVE research.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers a powerful research strategy for environmental design due to its control and data collection capabilities.
• IVEs enable systematic evaluation of alternative design configurations.
• The proposed framework enhances the use of IVEs for robust environmental design research.