Virtual Reality and 3D Printing in Architectural Design. Case study: the Conceptual Model

Gomez-Tone H.; Butron-Revilla C.L.; Manchego-Huaquipaco E.G.; Dueñas Silva M.K. · CEUR Workshop Proceedings (2023)

Resumen

Two disruptive technologies have had an important approach to the field of Architecture. The first is Virtual Reality which has shown significant advantages in the visualization, simulation, and evaluation of architectural designs. The second is Digital Fabrication and more specifically 3D printing which has shown strength in rapid prototyping of previously unbuildable forms. This research argues that the use of immersive virtual reality tools complemented with 3D printing tools in the process of creating a conceptual idea can be an advantageous alternative to the traditional architectural design workshop. To demonstrate this hypothesis, the design process of conceptual models has been addressed from two approaches, the first one has developed the traditional and artisanal methods and the second one has introduced immersive virtual reality and 3D printing. The experimentation has been carried out with two groups of students of the subject Architectural Design 1 of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism. The results have been compared in five criteria, multiple solutions, compositional principles, shapes and volumes, relationship with the environment and communication of the idea. It is concluded that the complementarity of both technologies does not alter the cognitive processes of architectural ideation and, on the contrary, it offers important advantages over the traditional and artisanal way of creating conceptual models.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa