From representation to immersion: Transforming architectural design evaluation through virtual reality in a south African design studio

Architectural design evaluation has traditionally relied on two-dimensional (2D) drawings and static representations, which often limit the depth and accuracy of critique processes. This study reconceptualises design evaluation by investigating the role of Virtual Reality (VR) as an immersive medium for critique, feedback, and spatial understanding within architectural education.

The research was conducted at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), involving 30 postgraduate architecture students and 15 academic staff members within the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology (EBET). A mixed-methods approach was employed, where students participated in a VR-based design activity, and staff engaged in both traditional 2D critique sessions and immersive VR-based evaluations.

The findings reveal that VR significantly enhances design evaluation, enabling both students and staff to engage more deeply with architectural proposals. Students reported improved ability to identify design strengths and weaknesses, while staff indicated that immersive environments allowed them to become “submerged” within student work, leading to more precise, context-aware, and meaningful feedback. Comparative analysis between 2D and 3D/4D evaluation demonstrates that immersive critique environments improve spatial interpretation, reduce miscommunication, and support higher-order thinking processes.

However, challenges related to training, technological access, and institutional readiness remain. The study concludes that VR has the potential to transform architectural critique from a representational exercise into an experiential and interactive process, fundamentally reshaping how design is evaluated in studio-based learning.