Review

REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY

Volume: 4 Number: 2 December 31, 2025
TR EN

REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY

Abstract

The transformative impact of digital technologies on the discipline of architecture has become increasingly evident. In this context, virtual reality (VR) technology significantly contributes to processes of interaction, representation, and presentation by enabling immersive three-dimensional digital spatial experiences. This study aims to investigate how VR technology has been addressed within the field of architecture in Turkey by analyzing a total of 36 master’s and doctoral theses published between 1999 and 2024 in the National Thesis Center database of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). The analysis reveals that the majority of these theses are practice-oriented master’s studies, while doctoral dissertations primarily focus on developing theoretical frameworks and models. Thematically, the research concentrates on architectural education, spatial perception, visualization, urban design, cultural heritage, and construction safety. The most commonly adopted research method is the mixed-method approach (qualitative + quantitative), underscoring the necessity of supporting VR’s interactive nature with multidimensional data. The findings indicate that VR holds significant potential to enhance participatory design, creativity, and spatial awareness in both architectural education and practice.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Çalışma kapsamında etik ihlal yapılmamıştır.

References

  1. 1. Ünaldı, C. (1999). Virtual reality and its role in architectural design (Master’s thesis). Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul.
  2. 2. Karadayı, A. (2000). A virtual reality model for the architectural archive of Eastern Black Sea (Doctoral dissertation). Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon.
  3. 3. Ünal, K. (2001). Virtual reality-aided design (Master’s thesis). Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul.
  4. 4. Kınayoğlu, G. (2002). Architectural representation and virtual reality (Master’s thesis). Middle East Technical University, Ankara.
  5. 5. Zafer, D. (2007). The effect of virtual reality technologies on the architectural design process (Master’s thesis). Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
  6. 6. Töre, T. (2010). Virtual reality and architectural conservation: An evaluation in the context of presentation and narrative (Master’s thesis). Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul.
  7. 7. Kayapa, N. (2011). An investigation of visualization features in perceptual differences between real and virtual reality environments (Doctoral dissertation). Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul.
  8. 8. Aydın, E. (2012). Improving architectural space representation in three-dimensional virtual reality: Creating primary and secondary meaning (Doctoral dissertation). Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Artificial Reality

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

August 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 4 Number: 2

APA
Kurtuluş, M. (2025). REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY. Akıllı Sistemler Dergisi, 4(2), 98-124. https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ
AMA
1.Kurtuluş M. REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY. JOSS. 2025;4(2):98-124. https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ
Chicago
Kurtuluş, Minel. 2025. “REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY”. Akıllı Sistemler Dergisi 4 (2): 98-124. https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ.
EndNote
Kurtuluş M (December 1, 2025) REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY. Akıllı Sistemler Dergisi 4 2 98–124.
IEEE
[1]M. Kurtuluş, “REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY”, JOSS, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 98–124, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ
ISNAD
Kurtuluş, Minel. “REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY”. Akıllı Sistemler Dergisi 4/2 (December 1, 2025): 98-124. https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ.
JAMA
1.Kurtuluş M. REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY. JOSS. 2025;4:98–124.
MLA
Kurtuluş, Minel. “REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY”. Akıllı Sistemler Dergisi, vol. 4, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 98-124, https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ.
Vancouver
1.Minel Kurtuluş. REFLECTIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF ARCHITECTURE: A METHODOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL THESES IN TURKEY. JOSS [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;4(2):98-124. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA33PK98XJ

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