What is VAS Technology?

This innovative tool is changing the way we design with human behavior in mind

Have you ever walked into a room and felt a certain way? Have you ever looked at a building’s architecture and been drawn to it? There is an explanation for this idea, and it has to do with a biological practice called eye-tracking or visual attention analysis.

“In order for us to navigate the world around us, our brains have developed shortcuts to pre-select the most relevant visual information at first glance,” according to the experts at 3M™ Visual Attention Software (VAS). Understanding what attracts the human eye, subliminally, will give designers and architects the power to design environments good for human health. 

In this 3M VAS example, courtesy of TRIO, the technology shows where people’s gaze lands, and illustrates just how the designers at TRIO utilized this information to create an optimally designed space for this project, highlighting natural views, biophilic elements and more.

Visual Attention Software can be used to predict viewer reactions to images, generating fixation point probability maps and fixation point sequence estimations. According to 3M™ Visual Attention Software, the technology “predicts what viewers will see at first glance so you can quickly see what your audience sees.” In other words, this software uses algorithms to predict how the human eye will move across a room, and can help designers make informed decisions about the placement of furniture, lighting, colors, and patterns in a space. 

Designers can input images or 3D models of a room into the software and test different design features to see how they affect the viewer’s attention. The software can identify the most visually prominent elements in the room, such as a piece of artwork or a unique architectural feature, and help designers to highlight or complement these features with other design elements.

One way that visual attention software can help create a healthy living environment is by ensuring that the design promotes natural light and ventilation. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase productivity. Similarly, good ventilation can help reduce indoor air pollutants and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

VAS technology in new community development can be a powerful tool in creating healthy living environments by helping builders and designers make informed decisions about the placement of architectural and design elements that promote natural light, ventilation, relaxation, restful sleep, and physical activity.

Source: Visual Attention Software: A New Tool for Understanding the “Subliminal” Experience of the Built Environment; Vol 11, Journal of Applied Sciences