From HCI to HVRI : how different will the interaction of digital architecture design be?

Abstract

This paper contributes to the conference theme by looking at the human impact factors in the context of virtual reality interaction. The creation of architectural design drawings was done through pens and rulers in the beginning. Although the process is time-consuming, the connection of the mind and body is very close and every line drawn are done through the motion of the human body. The development of computer speed up the design process but the generation of the drawings are done with the keyboard and mouse. This human-computer interaction (HCI) disrupted the body-mind connection since the controls are now pointing, dragging and clicking. Architects were having a hard time accustoming to the new methods but gave up to the speed of its efficiency. However, architects never lose their skills to draw and sketch when brainstorming design. The coming of virtual reality (VR) provides an opportunity to bring back this connection. This paper explores the possibilities of human-virtual reality interaction (HVRI) through analysing the currently available VR tools and understand how close they are to this mind-body connection.