Visual Attention to Biophilic Elements in Virtual Classroom Design: A VR Eye-Tracking Study

Recently, interest in indoor nature-based solutions through biophilic design interventions has grown across various spatial contexts. This study examines the influence of biophilic elements in virtual classroom design on university students’ visual attention, utilizing eye-tracking integrated with VR technology. This study focuses on how eye-tracking can provide insights into attention processes in relation to biophilic design, and whether two different biophilic treatments are superposable. The experiment involved 35 participants who interacted with seven different classroom cases, ranging from a non-biophilic control to various biophilic interventions. Analysis of fixations and saccades revealed significant differences in visual attention, with biophilic designs eliciting greater engagement than non-biophilic environments. The results show that applying two separate biophilic treatments are not superposable. The study’s findings suggest that biophilic design in VR enhances engagement, impacting the development of effective virtual learning spaces and informing future classroom designs.