Virtual Reality - Can It Play a Role in Architecture?

Digital architectural visualisations are growing ever more perfect. Renderings are becoming increasingly photo-realistic; the movements in animations give an impression of the finished building. What separates these monoscopic representations from the reality, however, is the decisive architectural instant: the spatial impression. In contrast, stereoscopic vision has been employed for years within the computer game, research, medicine and technology spheres. When the viewer can directly reach into the environment, this is generally known as Virtual Reality (VR). VR simulations, e.g. flight simulators, are used when it would be impossible to repeat a physical experiment or the health of those involved would be put at risk. Medical students operate virtually, the space mouse is replacing the scalpel. Can these findings be applied to the world of architecture? In his piece, the author explains how 3D stereo and VR applications are already being used within architecture today.