A framework of procedural considerations for implementing virtual reality in design review

The implementation of immersive virtual reality in the construction sector is experiencing a period of renewed interest since the research efforts of the early 2000s. VR-related applications are increasing in number and scopes, with a focus on communication and analysis of design intents. On the other hand, procedural challenges still obstacle their effective adoption for such purposes. The paper proposes a preliminary set of procedural considerations to take into account when immersive VR is used for feedback collection in design reviews. It is the result of an inductive approach associated with qualitative research methods based on seven semi-structured interviews with representative design stakeholders (i.e., twenty-four), including clients, designers, end-users and an accessibility expert. They were asked to evaluate VR adoption for the usability-focused analysis of a new school building. The framework represents a first step to address in a systematic way the practical implications related to VR-aided design reviews, especially when clients and end-users are involved.