Abstract
Most previous studies, in general, related to housing needs have analyzed the data from self-administered survey or interview using questionnaire or simple 2D floor plan. This study was Intended to suggest how to increase the reliability and effectiveness of such survey methods in examining the residents' housing needs. In order to accomplish the purpose, the two kinds of surveys using Web based VR media and typical questionnaire were peformed. The same questions were used for these two surveys, and they included the furniture characteristics, use of each room, adjustment of room size, preferences for interior colors, preferred furniture in living room, space layout of floor plan, housing life style, and preference for housing characteristics. The answer differences between these two were analyzed. The subjects were 402 housewives who lived in apartment houses in Haeundae, Busan. Finding were as follows: first, the media method was more likely to be effective than typical questionnaire survey in explaining housing needs for the adjustment of room size in housing unit plan. Second, the media method was more realistic and reliable than the other in comprehending the needs for the interior colors. Last, the VR media tended to be more effective than the other in understanding the space layout of floor plan. This research sheds light on the utilization of visual instrument for the analysis of needs related to space use.
