applies to architectural design. Meredith Bricken describes virtual realityÆs impact on the physical and mental: ôBecause the participant is both physically and perceptually involved with the environment, the process co-ordinates the cognitive, the psycho-motor, and the affective domains of experienceö (Quoted in Chesher 18). In this manner, we see the importance of the experiential underscored by virtual reality. Freed from the physical but immersed physically and more perceptually in their creations, virtual reality opens a whole new space or reality to architects and artists. This analysis will argue that both Croce and Hegel's view of the mindÆs role in design and creation are enhanced by virtual reality which liberates the mind from physical constraints but immerses the perceptual physically.
It is my assertion that computer technologies offer artists and the arts more freedom than ever before in history, especially from physical limitations and barriers. Computer technologies like virtual reality add a third dimension to the architectÆs designs. In virtual space, computerized art only reveals an image concept that the artist desires to express, without being limited or accompanied by a physical medium. For architects, virtual reality and technologies support design metaphors and illustrate progress in the ability to electronically represent design knowledge. However, both physical and perceptual immersion without physical constraints is now offered by virtual reality technologies, ôNow, virtual reality has advanced architectural drawings to æfull body design,Æ letting architects experience their creations, rather than just seeing those creations in front of themö (Architectural 1).
The rewards of such new technologies, like cyberspace buildings or virtual reality cities have greatly enhanced the design process, making it faster and much less expensive. So, too, virtual reality has liberated the architect fro...