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Research ArticlePeer-Reviewed Articles

The Impact of Virtual Reality on Student Design Decisions: Assessing Density and Proximity When Designing in Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Analog Processes

Benjamin H. George, Jessica Fernandez and Peter Summerlin
Landscape Journal, January 2022, 41 (1) 31-44; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/lj.41.1.31
Benjamin H. George
Benjamin H. George, PhD, ASLA, is an associate professor in the Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning Department at Utah State University. His work focuses on the integration of visualization technologies into the design process and the intersection of media and the landscape. He conducts research on the implementation and impact of online education with the design studio. Dr. George has collaborated with a number of leading technology firms, design firms, and botanical gardens.
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Jessica Fernandez
Dr. Jessica Fernandez is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia. Her research and teaching incorporate contemporary approaches to the creation and assessment of place through big data, VR/AR, and other emerging applications. As a licensed landscape architect, she has over a decade of experience working on a variety of nationwide award-winning projects. She owns ALPHA Design Studio, where she pursues innovative solutions in the design and building industry.
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Peter Summerlin
Peter Summerlin is an associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University. His work explores contemporary technology as tools for design, discovery, communication, and collaboration in the design process. He is a licensed landscape architect and LEED Accredited Professional with practical experience in both the public and private sector.
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Abstract

For centuries, technological advances have aided designers in their work. However, the emergence of digital technologies has dramatically accelerated the pace and impact of new tools and technologies. The emergence of consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) in the last few years has the potential to dramatically impact the design profession through improved spatial interaction duringthedesignprocessandbymarryingtraditionalphysical analog processes with the benefits of a fluid digital technology. VR is quickly garnering the attention of researchers. Yet little research to date has focused on quantifying and understanding the impact of VR on the landscape architectural design process and the decisions made by designers. This research seeks to quantify the spatial impacts that VR has on the distribution of trees in a planting design task. Students across three universities participated in a planting design exercise using both traditional analog hand drafting techniques and digital techniques using VR. The study found that students utilized a greater number of trees and a larger portion of the site when designing in VR. These results may indicate that VR facilitated an improved spatial understanding of the site and design elements.

KEYWORDS
  • Virtual reality
  • design process
  • analog drawing
  • digital technology
  • spatial impacts
  • © 2022 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

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Landscape Journal: 41 (1)
Landscape Journal
Vol. 41, Issue 1
1 Jan 2022
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The Impact of Virtual Reality on Student Design Decisions: Assessing Density and Proximity When Designing in Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Analog Processes
Benjamin H. George, Jessica Fernandez, Peter Summerlin
Landscape Journal Jan 2022, 41 (1) 31-44; DOI: 10.3368/lj.41.1.31

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The Impact of Virtual Reality on Student Design Decisions: Assessing Density and Proximity When Designing in Virtual Reality Versus Traditional Analog Processes
Benjamin H. George, Jessica Fernandez, Peter Summerlin
Landscape Journal Jan 2022, 41 (1) 31-44; DOI: 10.3368/lj.41.1.31
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Keywords

  • Virtual reality
  • design process
  • analog drawing
  • digital technology
  • spatial impacts
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