SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN ARCHITECTURAL CURRICULA

As the resurrection of virtual reality technologies gain ubiquity in contemporary entertainment, it is unsurprising that many different industries ranging from medical to military are adopting this immersive and engaging medium. What remains astonishing is that this technology, capable of placing users in virtual environments, has not been met with widespread adoption in architectural pedagogy. Though there are various isolated or specialized application of virtual reality in architectural education, there has not been a program that thoroughly integrates the medium into its curriculum. This paper provides an outline and application of virtual reality throughout the largest undergraduate architectural program in Canada. From design studios to extracurricular work, the use of virtual reality holds great potential in increasing sensitivities to architectural dimensions that previously required explicit elaboration including structure, materiality, lighting, and detailing. It will also showcase the outputs, challenges and evidence-based outcomes that validate the need for integration of virtual, immersive media to educators, students, industry, and the general public.