The Fourth Virtual Dimension - Stimulating the Human Senses to Create Virtual Atmospheric Qualities
Liam Jordan Sheehan, André Brown, Marc Aurel Schnabel, Tane Moleta · Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia · 2021
In a move away from the ubiquitous ocular-centric Virtual Environment, our paper introduces a novel approach to creating other atmospheric qualities within VR scenarios that can address the known shortcoming of the feeling of disembodiment. In particular, we focus on stimulating the human bodys sensory ability to detect temperature changes: thermoception. Currently, users perceptions of a 3D virtual environment are often limited by the general focus, in VR development for design, on the two senses of vision and spatialised audio. The processes that we have undertaken include developing individual sensory engagement techniques, refinement of sensory stimuli and the generation of virtual atmospheric qualities. We respond to Pallasmaas theoretical stance on the evolution of the human senses, and the western bias of vision in virtual engine development. Consequently, the paper investigates the role our senses, outside of the core five senses, have in creating a fourth virtual dimension. The thermoception dimension is explored in our research. A user can begin to understand and engage with space and the directionality within a virtual scenario, as a bodily response to the stimulation of the bodys thermoception sense.