How architecture influences our lives

Architecture not only shapes our physical environment but also affects our mood, our behaviour and even our health. It can inspire, calm, encourage us to socialise or even relieve stress.

Firstly, architecture shapes our moods and emotions. A well-designed building can evoke joy and inspiration, while a poorly designed building can cause frustration and dissatisfaction. This is often discussed in the psychology of colours and forms in architecture. Natural materials that also smell pleasant, like wood, convey a feeling of comfort. Especially for old and sick people, it is important that a room can be perceived by all the senses.

Secondly, architecture can influence our behaviour. The layout of a building, the placement of furniture and the arrangement of rooms can influence how we move around a space and interact with others. This is a central point in the study of architectural psychology.

Thirdly, architecture can have an impact on our health. Research has shown that access to natural light and green spaces can improve well-being and even speed up healing processes. The concept of ‘healing architecture’ has been introduced in hospitals and healthcare facilities to improve the patient experience and support the recovery process.

Advances in technology and digital development, particularly virtual reality, have revolutionised the process of architectural design. By creating VR models, architects and clients can view designs in an immersive, three-dimensional format before they are realised. This has several advantages.

First, VR allows architects to better visualise and understand the impact of their designs. You can “walk” through the building, take different perspectives and simulate the experience of a future user. This allows them to identify errors and possible improvements much earlier in the process.

Secondly, VR enables customers to actively participate in the design process. You can experience the proposed designs in a realistic, intuitive way, rather than imagining them from technical drawings or flat renderings. This increases their satisfaction and confidence in the end result.

In addition, VR enables more efficient communication and collaboration between the different parties of a construction project. By bridging language barriers and technical jargon, architects, engineers, contractors and clients can participate equally in the design process.

Why hasn’t everyone in the industry already turned to virtual reality (VR)? One challenge is probably that architects have already become accustomed to their existing tools – they need to be convinced that VR adds value to them.

In addition, many architects are afraid of the possible additional expense. If you are an architect planning in 3D, your 3D models will be directly transferred to HEGIAS VR without any additional effort or cost. Also, with HEGIAS VR, only minimal hardware is needed: stand-alone glasses from CHF 400. Here you can find out, which glasses we use.

Another aspect is the rapid development of technology. Many architects and planners might hesitate due to the fast cycles of new VR products on the market. Each new product promises to surpass the merits of the previous one.

Nevertheless, you should dare to take the first step in order not to fall behind. Because technological advances will always occur.

There is no need to wait for the benefits because they are already within reach with HEGIAS VR. Our solution offers architects a realistic sense of space and thus a deeper understanding of how the planned can be realised in reality. Errors or difficulties can thus be detected early in the planning phase, which ultimately saves both time and money.

HEGIAS VR also promotes more efficient collaboration between different parties involved in the planning process and optimises and accelerates all planning processes. Our solution allows multi-user access and remote access, which means it can be used from any location with internet access. Our solution allows multi-user access and remote access, which means it can be used from any location with internet access. Likewise, the involvement of external partners, such as in heritage conservation issues or architectural competitions, is simplified by the possibility of a virtual tour.

Architecture is a powerful influencing factor in our lives, shaping our emotions, behaviour and health. By using VR, they can create better designs, communicate more effectively and develop a deeper understanding of the human experience in architectural spaces. Ultimately, this helps to improve our built environment and enhance our quality of life.

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