Virtual and augmented reality in first stages of architectural design

• Grant number: 20/03775-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2022
• End date: March 25, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Project
• Principal Investigator: Daniel de Carvalho Moreira
• Grantee: Larissa Negris de Souza
• Supervisor: Uwe Woessner
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Stuttgart, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/15863-8 - School architecture briefing assisted by augmented reality, BP.DR

Abstract

One of architectural design first stages is called program, an analytical process that includes different agents' needs and perceptions. At this phase, diagrams are created based on general design characteristics of specific conceptual elements, opposing to later formal design phases. Effective communication of information should be established in this first stage, especially within collaborative work contexts. Virtual and Augmented Realities (VAR) techniques can enhance information exchange and comprehension through new methods of data representation, and tool user-data interpretation and interaction. The main goal of this research is the study of VR inclusion at early architectural design stages observing its functionality in collaborative environments. In order to achieve this, the development of a VR application is necessary, with an awareness of types of elements included, how they are represented in this tridimensional immersive environment and the interaction between them in the virtual world. Besides that, the understanding of represented information by the user of the platform, assessing their cognition and interaction with the tool should also be studied. This study will be supported by VIS/HLRS/University of Stuttgart research methods and infrastructure. Results of the findings will be structured in order to provide feedback on the developed VR application characteristics: data entry, as in data quantity and quality, representation modes, tool user relation regarding its level of interaction, data comprehension, adaptability, application functionality, amongst other. The experience abroad should contribute to technical and practical skill development in relation to immersive technologies, specifically applied to architectural design, focusing on the program. This study is also an opportunity for the establishment of a research partnership between UNICAMP, University of Stuttgart, and RheinMain University. (AU)