Emotional Response to Interior Built Environments: A Virtual Reality Study

Interior architectural design shapes emotional responses, yet the relative contribution of specific design features remains unclear. This study examined the effects of ceiling height, openness, and curvature using virtual reality (VR). A reverse-engineering approach was used to create 3D models that isolated these features from an existing architectural design. Sixty-six participants experienced five virtual environments while self-report and physiological responses were recorded. Open and Combined environments elicited more positive affect, higher aesthetic ratings, and stronger approach tendencies than the other conditions, with no differences between them, suggesting that openness, with nature views, is the primary driver of positive emotional response. Affective responses significantly mediated effects on aesthetic judgments and approach–avoidance decisions, whereas physiological responses were comparatively subtle. These findings highlight affective response as a key mechanism underlying architectural experience, identify openness as a salient design feature, and demonstrate the value of VR-based reverse engineering for investigating built environment design.