Multisensory Immersion in Architectural Virtual Reality: Effects of Visual and Auditory Cues

Abstract

The evolution of architectural representation has progressed from traditional analog methods such as hand-drawing to contemporary digital technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) which emerges as the latest architectural representation in spatial visualization and client communication. However, current implementations of architectural VR heavily focus on visual presentation, potentially underutilizing the capacity for comprehensive multisensory experiences that could significantly enhance users to have comprehensive understanding and more engagement within proposed space. This paper investigates the role of spatial auditory effects in enhancing architectural VR experiences and examines how multisensory (particularly visual and auditory cues) design approaches can improve user engagement and spatial communication effectively. Through a comprehensive three-part methodology, this research addresses critical gaps in current architectural VR representations which visual-only approaches represent partial utilization of the contemporary potential of technology.

In PART 1, through trend extrapolation from historical evolution, ‘what’s the next?’ was predicted that architects should utilize architectural VR representation to prepare for emerging technological paradigms. The analysis of various contemporary precedents in the architectural field shows that current architectural VR implementations primarily focus on providing better visualization and virtual experiences to clients and stakeholders, while insufficient attention is on multisensory architectural VR applications. PART 2 introduces the cognitive foundation for sound integration in architectural representation and explains the necessity of applying spatial audio to architectural VR presentations for enhanced communication. This part outlines specific acoustic properties such as attenuation, overlapping, and diffraction and shows their potential applications in architectural design visualization. This foundation demonstrates how these properties can enhance the awareness of relationships in spatial hierarchy, active zones, and connectivity. PART 3 presents experimental validation through repeated measures with 38 participants experiencing three conditions: PC-based non-VR, visual-only VR, and both visual and auditory VR. The results demonstrate progressive increases in participants’ voluntary engagement, with multisensory VR achieving 198.1% improvement in play time compared to traditional PC-based presentation.

These findings provide architects experiment results based on numerical evidence and encourage them utilizing multisensory integration as fundamental to effective VR representations rather than optional enhancement. This research contributes to architectural practice by providing measurable advantages of comprehensive sensory experience in VR-based communication and spatial understanding.