Pre-Occupancy Training with Virtual Reality

Project Overview: Opsis Architecture has teamed with Portland State University’s Research-Based Design Initiative to study occupant behavior and energy consumption. The relationship between people and building control systems is a critical factor in overall building energy performance. Conventional energy models rely on static, overly simplistic patterns of occupant behavior and are unable to provide energy performance predictions that reflect realistic use. Thoughtfully designed passive systems are ineffective unless operated as intended, resulting in a performance gap between predicted energy consumption and measured energy consumption post-occupancy. Utilizing virtual reality (VR) simulation with game engine technology, this team is studying the potential of VR to both predict and influence user interaction within specific spaces and environmental conditions. This study will take place over two quarters, Fall 2017 and Winter 2018. During the fall quarter, we are focusing on new ways of training by analyzing VR’s gaming capabilities to build upon the users’ emotional relationship with a space, improving their ability and desire to better utilize passive and advanced systems such as shades, ceiling fans, lighting controls, and operable windows. The finished product will transform the way the profession thinks about post-occupancy training, energy modeling, and influencing behavior through design.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/research_based_design/1084/thumbnail.jp

Virtual Reality & Gamification for Pre-Occupancy Training

The objective of this research is to analyze and compare user behavior and learning retention via gamified and non-gamified virtual reality for use in pre-occupancy training. After completing trials for both gamified and non-gamified virtual reality we issued a standardized post-experience survey to collect data on what the participants learned, then compared and analyzed the results. The benefits of virtual reality and gamification have both been extensively studied and both suggest they are independently effective teaching tools. In our trials we have found that participants who went through the gamified virtual reality training were 50% more likely to come away with the desired learning objectives than participants who went through the non-gamified virtual reality. The benefits of virtual reality and gamification can be effectively combined and retain the benefits of that learning method in this situation. Based on our small sample and our literature review this technology can be used to train a more informed population regarding the effective operation of passive building systems.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/research_based_design/1085/thumbnail.jp

Portland River District park system urban design framework study

18 pp. Bookmarks supplied by UO. Maps, figures, illus. Published January 16, 2001. Captured September 18, 2009.The Framework Plan: creates a strong and poetic metaphor of historic Tanner Creek; it addresses the deeper meanings of the natural cycle of water collection and storage, the visual relationship between water and land, and the natural and social life that they support; provides a great variety of spaces, both in terms of use and scale; reaches out to promote a synergy between civic and private development initiatives; [and] establishes strong, guiding principles to promote a sense of place. The plan relies on simple elements which are both common and unique to the city. [From the Plan

PCC Rock Creek Post Occupancy Evaluations

The objective of this research is to determine whether the new additions to Building 5 and Building 7 of Portland Community College at Rock Creek Campus fulfill the requirements for the LEED IEQ 7.2: Thermal Comfort-Verification credit for LEEDv2009. Occupants of the new additions will take an anonymous survey regarding their thermal comfort and other aspects of the new additions via SurveyMonkey. If the survey results indicate that more than 20% of occupants are dissatisfied with thermal comfort in the building, a plan for corrective action must be developed to fulfill the requirements of the credit. The results from SurveyMonkey show that 87% and 79% of occupants were satisfied with the thermal comfort in the new additions to Building 5 and Building 7 respectively. According to initial findings, a plan for corrective action must be developed for Building 7 to fulfill the requirements agreed to when the credit was awarded. However, more results should be gathered before making any valid conclusions. The survey could have reached a much broader audience if it was distributed on more days with a larger variety in distribution times.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/research_based_design/1072/thumbnail.jp

Biophilia X JEDI

The intersection of biophilic design, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion provides a unique vantage point from which to design. When viewed as intersecting lenses to design the human state becomes more than utility, health, or productivity and more sustainable designs emerge. How can Biophilic design improve by becoming more inclusive in its process and more inviting to a diverse audience? How can Opsis’s initiatives improve by looking to nature for clues on how to move together toward a common purpose in unison? By creating a diverse culture influenced by nature and a nature-based, design process influenced by a diverse culture, Opsis is creating a unique design process that is responding to our most pressing climate and humanitarian challenges.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/research_based_design/1003/thumbnail.jp