Description
Architectural education has continuously evolved alongside the advancements of design tools and digital communication technologies. However, the pedagogical adaptation of immersive tools in architectural design remains largely fragmented, often limited to visualisation or presentation purposes rather than operational toolsets for design exploration and development. This research introduces the ImDeCo (Immersive Design & Collaboration) framework, a methodological and pedagogical model that integrates immersive collaborative design processes into architectural education and practice.The framework was envisioned during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a period that exposed the limitations of conventional remote learning methods in the online medium for architecture and creative disciplines. As a result, today’s architectural pedagogy has transitioned to enable virtualised and hybrid formats of learning. In response to these developments, this research explores an accessible, interactive, and spatially immersive model that could simulate the collaborative and haptic qualities of the design studio environment through a virtual lens. The ImDeCo framework addresses this gap by developing a structured approach that merges immersive conception, iterative refinement, and reflective collaboration through accessible XR tools.
Through a series of validation case studies deployed between 2021 and 2024, the framework was organised through three complementary branches: the ImDeCo Lab, which explored immersive simulation, collaboration, and multidisciplinary skill development; the ImDeCo Studio, which utilised VR (Virtual Reality) as a design tool for conceptual development within a fully virtualised collaborative design studio; and the ImDeCo Workshop, which translated these methods into public, peer-led engagement. Together, these branches established a practical and adaptive model that supports both in-person and remote participation.
Findings reveal how integrating immersive tools into the iterative and reflective process can enhance conceptual design thinking, spatial understanding, and collaborative intent. The framework also demonstrates the adaptability to emerging technologies such as AI, parametric design, and updated BIM tools, which further demonstrate its impact on emerging trends in academia and practice.
This research contributes to the current architectural pedagogy by proposing a complete model that merges immersive, generative, and reflective approaches to design. It also positions immersive conception as an inclusive experiment that evolves with an educational platform and align with ongoing digital developments in architectural practice.
| Period | 16 Feb 2026 |
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| Examinee | Mohammed Faraj Al-Suwaidi |
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| Degree of Recognition | International |