Creation and Translation Virtual 3D Architectural Environments

In this paper, we describe the research we undertake to investigate the perception and comprehension of spatial volumes within immersive, non-immersive virtual environments and physical models and their translation to a tangible representation. We set up two related design experiments to investigate the outcome of creation, interpretation and communication of architectural design. One, being the analysis of a cubic structure, based on three-dimensional (3D) interlocking volumes and spaces; and the other, being the design of a 3D-maze together with text -based communication. Collaboratively participants create, assess and analyse spatial relationships of volumes and spaces of a 3D maze structure or construct models of these spaces. The objective of our study is to identify how designers perceive space in Virtual Environments (VE) and communicate design ideas by using VE versa conventional methods of two-dimensional depictions such as paper and pen or 3D representations such as physical models. We investigate issues of quality, accuracy, understanding, communicating and rebuilding of designed or experienced architectural compositions.