Exploring Architectural Preferences through Semi-Immersive Virtual Environments

Hannah Hobbs' presentation at the ANFA conference delves into the intersection of architecture and neuroscience, focusing on how architectural forms influence human perception and preference. Her study employs a semi-immersive virtual environment to assess preferences for different interior forms, particularly in the context of Maggie Centers in the UK. By integrating neuroscientific insights with architectural design, Hobbs' research highlights the potential impact of built environments on well-being and user experience. The study's innovative methodology and detailed analysis provide valuable contributions to the field of neuroarchitecture, suggesting future directions for research in immersive environments and real-world applications.

Introduction and Acknowledgments

00:00:00 - 00:01:12

Hannah Hobbs opens her presentation by expressing gratitude to her thesis committee and the ANFA conference organizers. She acknowledges the support and guidance she received from her mentors, particularly highlighting the contributions of Kurt Hunkert and Dr. Vuslot de Marquet. Hobbs also appreciates the volunteers and ANFA board members for their efforts in organizing the conference. This segment sets a respectful and appreciative tone, emphasizing the collaborative nature of academic research and the importance of mentorship and community support in scholarly endeavors.

Thesis Overview and Research Focus

00:01:13 - 00:03:02

Hobbs introduces her thesis, which explores the intersection of architecture and neuroscience. She describes her study as a balance between art and science, applying the scientific method to assess preferences for different architectural interior forms. The research focuses on Maggie Centers in the UK, which are designed by renowned architects and serve as community cancer centers. Hobbs outlines the three main components of her study: developing a scientific study on contour preference, creating a semi-immersive virtual environment, and comparing previous studies on contour preferences. This segment is engaging as it highlights the innovative approach of integrating neuroscience with architectural design, aiming to understand how architectural forms impact human perception and preference.

Research Problem and Motivation

00:03:03 - 00:05:02

Hobbs identifies the problem her research addresses, noting that modern society spends significant time indoors, and enriched environments can influence brain function. She references Donald Hebb's work on environmental enrichment and its effects on behavior. Hobbs shares a personal motivation, recounting experiences in architectural reviews where curved designs were questioned. This segment is compelling as it connects personal anecdotes with broader societal trends, illustrating the potential impact of architectural design on well-being. The mention of Hebb's research provides a historical context, grounding the study in established psychological principles.

Literature Review and Theoretical Background

00:05:03 - 00:06:08

Hobbs discusses the literature review, focusing on neuroscientific and architectonic studies that examine contour preferences. She highlights studies by Baran et al. that found a preference for curved objects and explored brain activation patterns. These studies provided a foundation for her research, influencing the methodology and hypothesis. This segment is insightful as it demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of the research, drawing from neuroscience to inform architectural design. The integration of neuroscientific findings into architectural studies is a novel approach, emphasizing the potential for scientific research to enhance design practices.

Case Study: Maggie Centers

00:06:09 - 00:08:14

Hobbs details her case study on Maggie Centers, focusing on their architectural diversity despite a uniform brief. She categorizes the centers into four contour types and explains the selection process for her study. The emphasis is on the experiential aspect of architecture, rather than the buildings as objects. This segment is engaging as it highlights the unique design approach of Maggie Centers, which prioritize user experience and well-being. The focus on experiential architecture aligns with the study's goal of understanding how different forms affect human perception and preference.

Methodology: Virtual Environment and Experiment Design

00:08:15 - 00:10:00

Hobbs describes the methodology, including the creation of a semi-immersive virtual environment using Rhino 3D modeling. She explains the modifications made to enhance contour categories and the decision to remove extraneous elements to avoid bias. Participants experienced all four models in a randomized order. This segment is particularly interesting due to the innovative use of virtual environments to simulate architectural experiences, allowing for controlled experimentation. The methodological rigor and attention to detail in designing the experiment underscore the study's scientific approach, aiming to produce reliable and valid results.

Experiment Execution and Data Collection

00:10:01 - 00:12:00

Hobbs outlines the execution of the experiment, including the use of the K-Vet immersive environment and the adjustments made for consistency across trials. She discusses the participant demographics and the data collection process, which involved preference ratings using bipolar adjectives. This segment is engaging as it provides a detailed look at the experimental process, highlighting the challenges and solutions in conducting immersive studies. The use of a custom-built immersive environment demonstrates resourcefulness and innovation, contributing to the study's credibility and depth.

Results and Analysis

00:12:01 - 00:14:00

Hobbs presents the results, confirming the hypothesis that curved environments are preferred. She notes variations in preference based on demographic factors such as gender, design experience, and education level. The analysis reveals no significant difference between the first and second experiments for most categories, except rectilinear. This segment is compelling as it provides empirical evidence supporting the preference for curved designs, with nuanced insights into demographic influences. The detailed analysis of preference ratings enhances the study's contribution to understanding how architectural forms impact user experience and well-being.

Conclusion and Future Directions

00:14:01 - 00:15:13

Hobbs concludes by reflecting on the study's achievements and the importance of teamwork and perseverance. She suggests future research directions, including fully immersive virtual environments and testing actual Maggie Centers. This segment is engaging as it emphasizes the collaborative nature of research and the potential for further exploration in neuroarchitecture. The acknowledgment of teamwork highlights the collective effort behind the study, while the proposed future directions suggest a promising path for continued innovation in understanding the relationship between architecture and human perception.