Does the type of presentation medium impact assessments of the built environment? An examination of environmental usability ratings across three modes of presentation. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Acemyan, Claudia Ziegler; Kortum, Philip
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental psychology. Volume 56(2018)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Environmental evaluation -- Prospective usability -- Assessment of rendered environments -- Environmental psychology research methods -- Presentation of the built environment; Environmental psychology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-4944

Abstract

Abstract: A literature review confirms that evaluations of and responses to an environment are similar whether the presentation medium is the physical environment; a photograph of it; or a dynamic, virtual reality simulation. However, studies have not been conducted to determine if photorealistic renderings would receive similar assessments as a physical space or photograph. Accordingly, this work aimed to determine if prospective environmental usability assessments differ across presentation media. Participants viewed one of two built environments by either standing in the physical space, examining a photograph of it, or looking at a rendering of it. Participants then assessed the prospective usability of the space. The findings revealed that overall presentation media had little to no impact on the environmental assessments—meaning static, simulated images of the built environment can be used in evaluations. These findings are applicable to fields like architecture, which use renderings to communicate designs for future spaces. Graphical abstract: Highlights: People assess the prospective usability of an environment similarly regardless of the presentation medium. Static, simulated images of a built environment can be used for evaluations in place of the actual, physical space. The findings from this study are not only applicable to psychology research but also architecture design methods.