Abstract

This research explores the roles of immersive virtual spaces (IVS) in architectural presentation, with a specific focus on their application in education and professional communication. The study investigates how technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) enhance spatial understanding, design critique, and client engagement. With the growing need for more interactive and experiential design communication, immersive tools are rapidly reshaping the architectural presentation landscape globally. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining literature review, case study analysis, comparative content analysis, a technology review, and a limited questionnaire survey. Three case studies were analyzed to provide empirical insight into the practical implementation and outcomes of immersive tools. A comprehensive review of current hardware and software platforms was conducted to evaluate their functionality, accessibility, and suitability within the Nigerian context. Key findings reveal that immersive virtual spaces significantly improve spatial comprehension, facilitate collaborative critique, and support non-technical stakeholder involvement. However, barriers such as high hardware cost, limited institutional adoption, technical skill gaps, and infrastructural limitations have hindered widespread use in Nigeria. Nonetheless, interest in immersive tools among students and professionals is growing. The study concludes that immersive virtual spaces hold great potential for transforming architectural education and practice in Nigeria. It recommends increased institutional investment, curriculum integration, training programs, and industry-academic partnerships to support sustainable implementation. By bridging the gap between global capabilities and local realities, immersive technologies can enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and innovation of architectural presentation in the country.

Key words: Immersive virtual spaces (IVS), Immersive technologies, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR