Exploring phygitalization in architecture : comparative analysis of the reality of digital and physical experiences in relationships of humans and space

Abstract

Contemporary designers utilize extended reality (XR) to merge the physical and digital realms, aiming to create immersive user experiences, a concept known as "phygitalization." However, current studies predominantly focus on the visual aspects of XR, resulting in underdeveloped XR systems. This research aims to address this gap by examining the role of haptic experiences in enhancing immersion within the virtual environment, thereby bridging the divide between the physical and digital worlds. The research methodology involved a literature review to explore relevant terminologies related to physics, space, experience, senses, and human perception. Subsequently, an experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of connectivity between the physical and digital worlds on human perception. The experiment involved participants using a VR headset to interact with virtual "sand" and then directly interacting with different physical materials that have similarities and differences to the virtual environment, aiming to investigate (a) the incorporation of real objects in (b) interior and exterior virtual settings and (c) the disparities between physical and virtual materials. The study results showcased that by combining XR with physical haptic experiences, it is possible to enhance immersion in the virtual environment, contributing to the development of “Data-Driven Intelligence”, while recognizing that it may not fully substitute the physical world. This research seeks to explore the relationship between humans and space in both digital and physical experiences and paves the way for investigating how the integration of XR in architectural contexts can influence human perception, sensory abilities, and experiential encounters.