Research Projects

Main Research Areas

Human-Centered Design Approach in Spatial Design and Environemental Analysis Process

Decoding Spatial Experience: Data-Driven Insights in Neuroarchitecture

 (Work in Progress)

Representative Works

 Initial papers that describe some recent findings from funded research projects:

Hospital Environment and Human Behavior

• Phillips, Z., Kim, N.* &  Gero, J. (2025). Neurocognitive and Physiological Responses to Biophilic Hospital Room Design: A Pilot VR Study Using fNIRS, Eye-Tracking, and GSR,  ANFA 2025, September 18-20, La Jolla, USA

• Jung, D., Kim, D. I., & Kim, N.* (2023). Bringing nature into hospital architecture: Machine learning-based EEG analysis of the biophilia effect in virtual reality. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 102033 link

Case:  Hospital Design 

Method: VR+fNIRS+Eye-Tracking+GSR Experiment

Method: VR+EEG  Experiment

Educational Environment and Human Behavior

• Kim, S. & Kim, N*, (2025)  Neurophysiological and Psychological Effects of Color and Ceiling Height in Learning Spaces , Building and Environment, 282  link

• Kim,  N*, & Gero, JS. (2025). Visual Attention to Biophilic Elements in Virtual Classroom Design: A VR Eye-Tracking Study. In: Gero, J.S. (eds) Design Computing and Cognition’24. DCC 2024. Springer, Cham. link 

• Kim, N.*,  Gero, JS., and Jung, D. (2024) Harmonizing with nature: Unpacking the neurophysiological impacts of biophilic sound in virtual classroom design, in Gray, C., Hekkert, P., Forlano, L., Ciuccarelli, P. (eds.), DRS2024: Boston, 23–28 June, Boston, USA. link

• Kim, N.*, Gero, J.S. (2023). Neurophysiological Responses to Biophilic Design: A Pilot Experiment Using VR and EEG. In: Gero, J.S. (eds) Design Computing and Cognition’22. DCC 2022. Springer, Cham. link

Case:  Nature vs. Biophilic Built vs. Augmented Environment

Method: fNIRS+GSR+HRV Experiment

Case:  Classroom design

Method: VR+EEG+Eye-tracking  Experiment

Home Environment and Human Behavior

• Li, M., & Kim, N.* (2024). Exploring multisensory home office design in virtual reality: Effects on task performance, heart rate, and emotion. Acta Psychologica, 250, 104536. link

Case:  Home office design

Method: VR +EEG+ Heart Rate Experiment

Retail Environment and Human Behavior

• Park, H.J * & Kim, N.* (2026). Attention Restoration  and Mental Imagery in Direct and Indirect Biophilic VR Retail Environments:  An Eye-Tracking Study, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction  link

• Kim, N.* (2024). Capturing Initial Gaze Attraction in Branded Spaces Through VR Eye-Tracking Technology. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1–14. link

• Kim, N., & Lee, H.* (2021). Assessing Consumer Attention and Arousal Using Eye-Tracking Technology in Virtual Retail Environment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.  link

Case:  Retail Flagship Store

Method: VR+Eye-Tracking Experiment

Work Environment and Human Behavior

• Chen, Q., Kim, S.K.*,& Kim, N, (2026) Effects of Indoor Wood Use on Office Workers’ Cognitive Performance, Mood States, and Satisfaction with Their Working Environment. Journal of Green Building, 21(2), 183–202. link

Case:  Office Space

Method: VR Experiment +  Self-Report

*Note. These are the current funded research projects we are working on. However, we are not limited to these specific research areas. We enthusiastically welcome new collaborative projects with individuals from diverse disciplines and organizations. 

Research Funding 

External/ Internal Grants  (Role: PI)

• Neurocognitive Effects of Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR)-Based Learning Spaces on Creativity: An fNIRS Study,  by Research fund, 2026 of the Catholic University of Korea (2026-2027)

• Development of WELL-Based Environmental Design Elements and fNIRS-Based Evaluation Framework for Mental Health Promotion in Hospital Settings,  by Ministry of Science and ICT, National Research Foundation of Korea  (2025-2028)

• AI-Based Neuroarchitectural Study on the Effects of Biophilic Work Environments on Creativity Enhancement,  by Ministry of Education, National Research Foundation of Korea  (2025-2028)

• Characteristics of Brain Responses to Spatial Representations Across Different Digital Media,  by Research fund, 2025 of the Catholic University of Korea (2025-2026)

• User Experience Evaluation Using Eye-Tracking Technology,  by Research fund, 2024 of the Catholic University of Korea (2024-2025)

• VR and Neuroscientific Approaches to Analyzing  Human Behavior in Spatial Environments,  by 2024 International Collaboration Research Fund of the Catholic University of Korea (2024)

• Neuroarchitecture based Sustainable Biophilic Design Studies ,  by Research fund, 2023 of the Catholic University of Korea (2023-2024)

• Spatial Design Analysis of Hospital Architecture Using VR and EEG, by Research fund, 2022 of the Catholic University of Korea (2022-2023)

• Development of VR/AR Spatial Evaluation Methodology Using Biosignal Based Eye- Tracking Technology,  by Basic Science Research Program. National Research Foundation of Korea ( 2020 -2023)

• Impact of Perceived Visual Merchandising on Brand Experience in Virtual Environments,  by Yonsei University Research Grant of 2020 in Humanities and Social Sciences (2020-2021)

• Biomimetic Inspired Healing Architectural Facade Design,  Global PhD Fellowship, by Ministry of Education. National Research Foundation of Korea (2016 -2020)