Users' evaluation of a virtual reality architectural model compared with the experience of the completed building

Abstract

It is important that the properties of a Virtual Reality (VR) model support its purpose in the specific context in which it is used. This study investigated how employees of a company experienced a VR model of their yet-to-be-built office building. We also compared the VR experience with the employees' experience of the completed building. The results showed that the employees felt that the VR model was a useful aid in the decision-making process concerning their future workplace. In addition, The Semantic Environment Description Scale was used to compare the experience of the VR model with the experience of the real building. The results suggest that the VR model gave a fairly accurate representation of the real building