Establishing daylight studies inside architectural scale models with 360° panoramas viewed in VR

The benefits of studying daylight behavior with physical scale models is well
established. Scale models are widely used as design tools from the early
conceptual design phase to the final presentation, in order to inform and
communicate spatial experience and atmosphere created by daylight.
Photographing the interior of daylight illuminated scale models takes special
considerations concerning camera size and the construction of the scale model.
The point of view is often through a window or other openings in the model for
practical reasons, and an experience of being in the space is difficult to
achieve.Capturing 360° panoramas from scale model interiors enables a novel
experience of the model space in 1:1 viewed in Virtual Reality. Establishing a
correct eye-height is mandatory for the precise perception of scale, whereas
model construction materials seems to be of minor significance. In this paper, a
study done through an explorative and observative research describes the
practical findings of capturing 360° panoramas inside daylight illuminated scale
models. The purpose is to create a guide for students to use 360° panoramic
photographing and the various display possibilities to enhance the conceptual
design phase as well as representing the results.