Immersion in architectural virtual environments

application of the IGROUP presence questionnaire (IPQ) in courtyards with different landscape compositions

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of vegetation on the immersive experience in Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) applied to architecture, focusing on the perception of spatial presence, involvement, and realism. The methodology involved applying the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) in two architectural courtyard IVEs, one with vegetation and one without, to evaluate the subjective responses of 10 participants. The originality of the research lies in the specific analysis of the impact of landscape composition on virtual architectural experiences, a still underexplored area, especially in the Brazilian context. The main results indicate that spatial presence was perceived similarly in both environments, while the environment without vegetation showed slightly higher participant involvement. Realism, however, was significantly more valued in the vegetated IVE, highlighting the contribution of vegetation to visual authenticity. These findings point to the relevance of natural elements in enhancing immersive experiences, as well as the sensitivity of the IPQ in assessing nuances of virtual immersion. As a theoretical and methodological contribution, the study provides support for the development and evaluation of more realistic and effective architectural IVEs, while socially and environmentally reinforcing the importance of vegetation for positive spatial perception, potentially influencing both virtual and real architectural projects.