Grasshopper VR: development of an immersive visualisation interface for parametric design workspaces

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly shaping architectural design workflows by enabling immersive environments for real-time spatial interaction, yet most current systems remain focused on post-design visualisation rather than design generation. This paper introduces a novel immersive interface that supports real-time parametric modelling and immediate spatial feedback in a full-scale virtual environment, developed through an iterative user-centred process and integrated with industry-standard computational design tools. By allowing dynamic interaction with design logic in immersive space, the interface promotes a more fluid, iterative workflow rooted in spatial perception. Its impact is evaluated through structured usability testing, performance benchmarking, and real-world application exercises. Results show notable gains in iteration speed, geometry manipulation efficiency, and spatial comprehension. Unlike conventional tools, the system enables bidirectional modelling: changes in parametric scripts and VR contexts update in real time. Functionality is further validated through use-case demonstrations, including structural simulation, procedural animation, and performance-based design. A SWOT analysis situates the interface within the XR design ecosystem, highlighting its strengths, limitations, and potential for future development. This research advances immersive computational design by shifting VR from passive visualisation to an interactive, generative environment that enhances spatial cognition and design reasoning.