CColor Preference in Educational Spaces Using Virtual Reality Case Study: Architectural Design Studio

Document Type : Research

Authors

Department of Architecture, Shiraz University, P. O. Box: 7188637911, Shiraz, Iran.

10.30509/jscw.2025.167488.1224

Abstract

Color design in educational environments has a significant impact on the quality of learning experiences and the psychological well-being of users. Despite its importance, color choices in educational interior design are often guided by general aesthetic principles, with limited attention to user perception and emotional response. This study examines the influence of color on spatial perception and emotional responses among architecture students, utilizing virtual reality (VR) technology to simulate and evaluate educational spaces with precision. The primary research questions are: (1) Determining colors which most significantly affect clarity, liveliness, and concentration and (2) its influence on students’ emotional responses within an architectural design studio. In this study, 30 architecture students experienced color-varied virtual environments using VR headsets and reported their perceptions via a semantic differential questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The results indicate that colors such as purple, blue, and yellow were significantly preferred over the existing color scheme and were associated with qualities like clarity, liveliness, dynamism, harmony, warmth, and invitingness. In contrast, red and black were linked to perceptions of formality, visual harshness, or tension. These findings highlight the significance of user-centered color selection in educational space design, as it enhances spatial perception, supports motivation, and fosters social interaction. Furthermore, the use of VR in this research demonstrates the strong potential of this technology for experimental design and evaluation in educational settings, paving the way for future interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of architecture and environmental psychology.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Studies in Color World
Volume 15, Issue 4
September 2025
Pages 409-432

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 23 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 26 July 2025

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