Intuitive and Experiential Approaches to Enhance Conceptual Design in Architecture Using Building Information Modeling and Virtual Reality

The conceptual design phase in architecture requires both intuitive and iterative approaches, which traditional Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows fail to support properly. BIM provides data-driven decision-making and project coordination but does not offer affective or experiential feedback capabilities. BIM and Virtual Reality (VR) integration offers a promising solution to improve user-focused spatial assessments during initial design phases. The research follows three distinct phases, including a Systematic Literature Review to identify BIM-based conceptual workflow limitations, semi-structured interviews with architects to understand practical challenges and expectations, and the development of a BIM-based framework combining immersive VR for affective and visuospatial evaluation. A testing phase of the proposed framework occurred in the pilot study. The current BIM workflows show significant deficiencies in their ability to support creative flexibility, user engagement, and experiential validation. The BIM-VR framework implemented in the pilot study showed improvements in spatial cognition, emotional engagement, and iterative design decision-making during the conceptual design phase. Early-stage architectural design evaluation becomes more effective through VR integration into BIM workflows because it provides real-time immersive user feedback. The proposed framework helps develop BIM tools that are more intuitive for humans while advancing user-informed design practices in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.