The Augmented Design Process: Research into the integration of VR and AR into the architectural design process

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have the potential to enhance the capabilities of the architect. This thesis explores the implications of the integration of these technologies intothe architectural design process. It provides a theoretical framework by discussing what VR & AR would mean to the architect’s workflow, and to his workspace. In doing so, VR& AR are not regarded solely as tools or media, but also as a potential design environment. This is reflected in the main research question: “What are the implications of using VR & AR as the workspace in the architectural design process?” As a conclusion of the theoretical framework a personal view of a possible virtual design environment is argued.The thesis also provides a practical framework in the form of a comparison between the ‘traditional’ design process and the ‘augmented’ design process, which is based on a set ofVR & AR experiments done during the design process of the ‘University Forum for the TU Delft’.The underlying function of this thesis is to kickstart the discussion on VR & AR in the architectural design process