Role of Immersive Virtual Reality in Fostering Creativity Among Architecture Students
Year: 2015
Editor: Amaresh Chakrabarti, Toshiharu Taura and Yukari Nagai
Author: Pandey, M.; Luthra, V.; Yammiyavar, P. G.; Anita, P.Y.
Institution: 1Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, India and 2Department of Architecture, Royal Group of Institution, Guwahati, India
Section: Brief Podium Papers
Page(s): 319-325
ISBN: 978-1-904670-60-5
Abstract
Spatial reasoning is the a fundamental skill for in the profession of architecture. Space visualisation and it’s mental manipulation is required to conceptualise a design. An architect with better spatial ability would be able to harness the ability better and thus be more creative in the solutions he/she proposes. However, new entrants to the architecture education find it difficult to imagine and work with 3D space. Instructors often are at odds when it comes to explaining the topics like projection of solids, regeneration of solids, etc to first year students. Students are unable to leverage their knowledge effectively and solve for challenges creatively. The problem is not with aptitude but rooted in current methods of teaching. In this paper, we propose a learning platform which is anchored immersive virtual reality technology. This paper hypothesizes the platform’s role in enhancing spatial ability among architecture and engineering students, and presents the controlled expreiemnt and subsequent evaluation carried out to test the hypothesis.
Keywords: Virtual Reality, Architecture Education, Spatial Ability