Virtual Reality in Architecture : Technical limitations, solutions and future use

Abstract: VR is a relatively new technology that has been shown to have potential to increase productivity andfacilitate better decision making, both within the architecture role and in the broader building industry. However, there are many difficulties that stand in the way of this new technology. In this study, the researcher uses semi-structured interviews to interview six working architects from threecities in Sweden. This is an attempt to investigate what architects think are the technical difficultiesthat stand in the way of VR use within the architect role. Both software and hardware limitations are investigated. I additionally investigate what architects think are potential solutions to those problems, and how architects think VR can be used in the future in a way that would be useful and facilitate better communication. This study found that, according to the architects interviewed, the technical limitations are mainly the lack of portability, isolation from the outside world, the need for powerful hardware, motion sickness, movement restrictions and the setup process being generally inconvenient. The future use of VR that would be useful according to the architects interviewed are the ability to have virtual meetings, VR being used in conjunction with AR, the ability to design and sketch in VR and using VR as a communication tool to convey design ideas to the public.