BEYOND

The BEYOND project developed an innovative virtual reality educational game that empowers users to explore and understand the energy performance of buildings interactively. In a fully immersive VR environment, users can manipulate various physical and operational parameters, such as wall insulation, room orientation, lighting, and heating or cooling setpoints, and instantly experience the impact of these changes on energy efficiency, comfort, and cost. Real-time visual, acoustic, and haptic feedback guides players through the consequences of their decisions, highlighting trade-offs between energy savings, occupant comfort, and construction costs.

Designed in the style of an escape room, the game presents a series of challenges and quests within a virtual building laboratory. Players must complete tasks like optimizing wall assemblies, adjusting building orientation, or simulating seasonal changes to “unlock” their way out of the lab. These interactive puzzles not only engage users but also teach key principles of building physics in an intuitive, experiential way.

The VR experience is powered by a combination of advanced technologies: machine learning-based surrogate models allow for real-time performance simulation, and IoT data integration enables bidirectional communication with real-world building systems. This combination allows users to virtually test and visualize the effects of building modifications using real data and predictive simulations.

By making complex energy concepts tangible and experiential, BEYOND serves as a powerful educational tool for students, architects, and building professionals. It supports TU Graz’s broader sustainability goals and helps cultivate a deeper understanding of sustainable design and energy-conscious decision-making.