User-Centred Spatial Thinking in Architectural Design with Mixed Reality

Abstract

We present the findings from an architecture seminar where students used heads-up mixed reality devices to design from the users` perspective. The aims of the course were to 1) help students design user-oriented spaces; 2) allow students to experience a design-analysis feedback loop; and 3) test the feasibility and effectiveness of using mixed reality in the architecture curriculum. The course required students to apply advanced spatial thinking, and so course content was specifically-developed to challenge students' spatial thinking. We present findings on the merit of using mixed reality for user-centric design based on i) student feedback and ii) a linguistic analysis of how students presented their work. Findings show that the use of mixed reality improved students` capacity to design from the users' perspective. While there is still much untapped potential for including mixed reality in architecture courses, technical difficulties are to be expected.