Pre-occupancy evaluation of wayfinding signage using immersive virtual reality

This study explores how alternative wayfinding signage designs influence user experience within immersive virtual environments during early-stage architectural evaluation. A 3D model of a university building's ground floor was developed and experienced through head-mounted displays (HMDs) to simulate spatial conditions. Eighteen participants completed structured navigation tasks in two signage settings, followed by post-task surveys and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data—task completion times and circulation paths—were analysed alongside thematic evaluations of user feedback. Findings reveal that signage design affects spatial perception, navigational efficiency, and user satisfaction. The study shows that early-stage VR testing supports user-informed design decisions, especially for evaluating signage-based spatial strategies and related user experience considerations. VR emerges as a practical tool for integrating user-centred feedback into the pre-occupancy phase of spatial planning.