The transfer of Japanese spatial concepts into extended reality
The transfer of Japanese spatial concepts into extended reality
The project investigates the extent to which traditional Japanese concepts of space, particularly those drawn from garden design, can be applied to Extended Reality (XR). The aim is to develop innovative spatial structures that expand the possibilities for perception and movement and can be used in various application contexts within virtual and augmented reality.
| Project lead: | Prof. Philip Hausmeier |
| Duration: | September 2025 to August 2026 |
| Funding body: | In-house funding |
The principles of Japanese spatial design, particularly those of traditional garden art, open up a wide range of new possibilities for observation and movement within extended reality spaces through their focus on shifts in perspective, varied spatial divisions and subtle definitions of boundaries and transitions. Given that these technologies are still in their infancy, the design of extended spaces has so far often lacked a sufficiently nuanced sensitivity to the physical-spatial, emotional and narrative dimensions of the user experience. The transfer of principles shaped over centuries therefore offers a more complex set of tools that provides holistic solutions for flexible and modular XR scenarios. Of central importance here is the planned exchange between German and Japanese XR design, to ensure the continuous expansion of this toolkit.
Project Progress
The project follows a two-pronged approach. In a first step, Japanese gardens and architectural complexes, along with their spatial principles – such as depth and distance, boundaries and transitions, concealment and revelation, as well as movement and rhythm – will be systematically analysed.
The insights gained from Kyoto and the surrounding area are then incorporated into the development of two exemplary XR experiences:
- An experimental, artistic realisation that transcends the boundaries of the familiar and explores new modes of perception and interaction.
- An educational XR application that teaches students the key principles of Japanese interior design and enables them to apply these principles in their own XR projects.
In parallel, an analysis of the latest Japanese XR applications is carried out, supplemented by qualitative interviews with designers, universities and XR companies in Japan.
Objective
The project aims to systematically transfer the principles of Japanese spatial design into extended reality, thereby developing new concepts for structuring and perceiving virtual spaces. In addition to artistic outcomes, the project aims to produce educational XR formats that provide students with in-depth knowledge of spatial design. Furthermore, a long-term exchange with Japanese institutions and XR designers will be established, designed to promote both the further development of innovative XR technologies and the intensification of intercultural cooperation between Germany and Japan.
