Conceptualizing the Remote Site Experience through Immersive Technology: Unraveling the Santa Marta Favela from Students’ Perspectives

Abstract

As projects become more globally dispersed, site visits and analysis become challenging, often leading to the use of secondary information (e.g., photos, plans, and videos). Immersive technology offers embodied, visual, and spatial perspectives, providing unique information about a site that could be beneficial. Our research examines how virtual environments (VEs) can help landscape architects understand a site by exploring immersive technology for a remote site visit in a joint landscape and architecture studio. Students explored an informal settlement (favela) in Brazil first using a VE through three separate technologies:HTCVive,MobileVR, and WebVR, and then in person. Students’ responses helped identify perceptions toward technology and future improvements to the VE. Therewere four key findings. (1) VE establishes familiarity with a site; (2) VE is used for checking details; (3) walking is desired over realism; and (4) control of the VE experience is enjoyable. The findings suggest that VE cannot replace an in-person experience but provides familiarity when used alongside common secondary materials. Future research is needed to discern what VE features generate site familiarity.