Persian Immersive Experience

This project focuses on rethinking and redesigning some of the traditional motifs of Persian Architecture with the help of VR technology. Although VR is a great tool to revive world cultural heritage, we must ensure that user experience and interactions with the 3d environment are as expected. Therefore, the design process of the 3d space in this project is based on both architectural inspirations from Persian Architecture and Human-Computer interaction principles such as usability, understandability, and playability.

Based on the diversity of motifs in Persian Architecture and to convey a more explicit message, the design includes different pavilion spaces instead of one space that includes all the ornaments at once. In this design, each pavilion has a sculptural nature and presents a different environment and aspect of Persian Architecture. Therefore, the layout includes pathways to guide the user toward each pavilion. These paths intersect at a central space, which unites the whole design.

The considerations and decisions for the overall layout include:

• Simplicity of the one-way paths increases understandability and avoids confusion in the 3d environment.

• Curved paths provide varied perspectives and encourage a sense of curiosity by partially blocking the end of the path.

• At the end of each path, there is a different pavilion space, which can be regarded as a reward for the user, encouraging motivation and curiosity in the user from an HCD point of view. This concept is also borrowed from the Persian gardens. In the general layout of Persian Gardens, usually, the building is located at the end of a path, creating a focal point and encouraging the user to go towards the building.

In this project, tools such as Parametric Design and Midjourney AI have been used to rethink and redesign some of the traditional motifs of Persian Architecture. 

In summary, some of the included design decisions and qualities in this project are as follows:

• Maintaining a level of complexity in the aesthetics of the design

• Creating curved paths and environments

• Using natural elements such as the sound of nature, Water, Sky, and Vegetation.

• Creating an outdoor environment

• Playing with different scales to create a sense of awe and excitement in the user

Furthermore, a separate controlled environment is designed for user testing to ensure that the above qualities and design decisions can positively influence the user experience and add to the immersion.