View in EDS

Evaluation of Universal Accessible Housing (UAH) Design Using Virtual Reality: A Focus on Circulation Areas.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Evaluation of Universal Accessible Housing (UAH) Design Using Virtual Reality: A Focus on Circulation Areas.
Authors: Guerrero, Matías, Muñoz La Rivera, Felipe, Vega-Córdova, Vanessa, Proboste-Martínez, Mathías, Álvarez-Aguado, Izaskun, Spencer, Herbert
Source: Applied Sciences (2076-3417); Jun2025, Vol. 15 Issue 11, p5936, 29p
Subject Terms: SHARED virtual environments, SCIENTIFIC method, ACCESSIBLE design, VIRTUAL reality, ENVIRONMENTAL indicators
Abstract: Independent living is a central goal for people with disabilities, and the accessibility of the home environment plays a key role in achieving it. In particular, circulation areas within the household are essential to ensure autonomous and safe mobility. Although regulations guide the design of accessible housing, they do not always account for the specific needs of users. This study proposes a method for evaluating the design of universally accessible housing (UAH) through virtual reality simulations, with an emphasis on circulation areas. The Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was used to structure the study, guiding the development of an immersive virtual environment that integrates a housing model designed according to physical accessibility standards established by Chilean regulations. The simulation recreated everyday situations related to independent living, assessing indicators such as collisions with environmental elements, the time required to perform specific tasks, and the difficulty of maneuvering a wheelchair. The results show that the use of virtual reality enables the early identification of accessibility barriers from the end-user perspective, allowing design adjustments before construction and contributing to more inclusive and user-centered planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Applied Sciences (2076-3417) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Description
Abstract:Independent living is a central goal for people with disabilities, and the accessibility of the home environment plays a key role in achieving it. In particular, circulation areas within the household are essential to ensure autonomous and safe mobility. Although regulations guide the design of accessible housing, they do not always account for the specific needs of users. This study proposes a method for evaluating the design of universally accessible housing (UAH) through virtual reality simulations, with an emphasis on circulation areas. The Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was used to structure the study, guiding the development of an immersive virtual environment that integrates a housing model designed according to physical accessibility standards established by Chilean regulations. The simulation recreated everyday situations related to independent living, assessing indicators such as collisions with environmental elements, the time required to perform specific tasks, and the difficulty of maneuvering a wheelchair. The results show that the use of virtual reality enables the early identification of accessibility barriers from the end-user perspective, allowing design adjustments before construction and contributing to more inclusive and user-centered planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20763417
DOI:10.3390/app15115936