The Effect of Virtual Users’ Autonomous Adaptive Behavior on Atypical Architectural Design in the Architectural Design Studio

Abstract

The design procedure of atypical building is quite dissimilar from the conventional buildings because the architect must solve more problems than normal. Sometimes, they overlook the human factors which is the one of the most significant standard to evaluate the value of buildings. To solve this problem, simulation technology using virtual human-shaped agent(Virtual User) is recommended. Virtual users' interactions like a real world in the process of architectural design can help designers come up with new ideas, so the behavior of virtual users significantly influences the design process and results. In other words, the virtual users' adaptive behavior, which is more natural reaction to architectural geometry, is an significant factor for defining the value of human behavior simulations. In the previous study, the researchers developed a function that enables adaptive behavior by virtual agents in ActoViz. This function was developed to simulate human behavior during the design of atypical architectural spaces. However, the effect of adaptive behavior on the design process and the final design have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the present research aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual users' autonomous adaptive behavior on creative problem finding during the design process. In this study, 35 students were asked to use ActoViz's adaptive behavior function when designing an atypical space. The students then responded to a questionnaire about creative problem finding before and after using the function. The result of the survey showed that the adaptive behavior function helped designers create new shapes and identify more functions for their designs. This suggests that the adaptive behavior function helped designers develop new forms. The survey results also indicated that the adaptive behavior function helped designers identify problems in their designs, increasing their self-assurance in the designs' safety and suitability. This is because the adaptive behavior function expresses the physical situation better than other behavior simulations.

Psychological Interpretation of Human Behavior According to External Circumstance Changes in Atypical Space

“…Additionally, architectural design tools also need to support the design process of atypical buildings, and these tools are being developed and distributed. Nowadays, theories and technologies for designing atypical buildings are taught in most architectural education sites [1].…”

“…To solve this problem, research on human behavior simulation based on atypical design tools is in progress. Prior research found that these tools help architects to improve user safety and convenience in the design process and derive more diverse creative results [1]. [Fig.…”