Integrating Virtual Reality to Enhance Thermal Comfort in Educational Spaces: A Pilot Study Towards Sustainable Learning Environments

This pilot study explores the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance perceived thermal comfort (TC) within educational settings, where physical modifications to classrooms are often limited. As sustainability becomes a priority in building design, VR and Immersive Virtual Environments (IVE) offer an innovative approach to optimizing user comfort without altering physical conditions. This study investigates how VR influences comfort perception through qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews with four architecture students who attended academic presentations in a VR setting. Thematic analysis identified key factors affecting user experience, including visual satisfaction, physical discomfort, engagement, and perceived shifts in comfort parameters. Results indicate that VR environments featuring natural and calming visual elements can enhance perceived TC by reducing stress and increasing focus. However, challenges such as device discomfort, visual limitations, and distractions from non-task-related virtual elements were also noted. Findings highlight the importance of aligning visual elements with task requirements, optimizing brightness for engagement, and ensuring better connectivity between VR settings and real-world surroundings. As a pilot study, these findings provide preliminary insights into VR’s potential to support user comfort and engagement in student-centered learning environments, particularly in automated climate-controlled spaces with limited user control, laying the groundwork for future research.