Creating a hybrid environment via leap motion device for architecture students in digital age

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 435 - 457, 28.10.2025

Sevgin Aysu Balkan , Arife Koca

https://doi.org/10.37246/grid.1482382

Abstract

Digital environments define alternatives to physical realities. The merging of virtual and real spaces creates a “cybernetic space” that offers a new experience through bodily interaction. This study explores the potential of hybrid design techniques to create new forms of representation at the intersection of body, physical space, and virtual space. It also highlights the importance of interactive design environments in supporting spatial learning in design disciplines. The scope of the research involves developing a hybrid architectural design software based on gesture interaction that supports learning-by-doing in digital environments. A practice-based research methodology was adopted. Scenario-based evaluations were conducted through self-guided sessions where the researcher explored the functionality and experiential aspects of the system. Leap Motion—a device equipped with infrared cameras and sensors that captures hand gestures—was employed to enable intuitive interaction with three-dimensional architectural models. The findings suggest that such hybrid systems can enhance spatial awareness and encourage a body-based design experience in architectural education.

Keywords

Designing Space , Design Moves , Hybrid Environment , Interactive Tool , Leap Motion

Ethical Statement

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards.

Thanks

We would like to thank Önder Orakoğlu and Dr.Emir Balkan for their support in creating the software and using the Leap Motion device.

Dijital çağda mimarlık öğrencileri için leap motion cihazı ile hibrit tasarım ortamı önerisi

Abstract

Dijital ortamlar, fiziksel gerçekliklerin alternatiflerini tanımlamaktadır. Sanal ve gerçek mekânın birleşimiyle oluşan “sibernetik mekân”, bedensel etkileşimle yeni bir deneyim ortamı oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, beden, fiziksel çevre ve sanal mekânın kesişiminde hibrit tasarım tekniklerini kullanarak yeni temsil biçimleri üretme potansiyelini araştırmaktadır. Ayrıca etkileşimli tasarım ortamlarının, tasarım disiplinleri için mekânsal öğrenmeyi güçlendirmede taşıdığı öneme dikkat çekmektedir. Araştırmanın kapsamı, dijital ortamlarda yaparak öğrenmeyi destekleyen, jest tabanlı etkileşime dayalı hibrit bir mimari tasarım yazılımının geliştirilmesini içermektedir. Uygulamaya dayalı (practice-based) bir araştırma metodolojisi benimsenmiştir. Senaryo tabanlı tasarım değerlendirmesi için araştırmacının kendi kullanım durumlarını içeren öz-yönlendirmeli oturumlar gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu süreçte el hareketlerini algılayan ve sezgisel bir şekilde üç boyutlu mimari modellerle etkileşim kurulmasını sağlayan Leap Motion cihazı (kızılötesi kameralar ve sensörlerden oluşan bir cihaz) kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, bu tür hibrit sistemlerin mekânsal farkındalığı artırabileceğini ve tasarım eğitiminde bedene dayalı bir tasarım deneyimi geliştirebileceğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Mekan Tasarımı , Tasarım Hareketleri , Hibrit Tasarım Ortamı , Etkileşimli Cihazlar , Leap Motion

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