Simulating spatial experience in exhibition spaces with musical soundscapes using virtual reality

The experience of interior space is profoundly shaped by the interplay of various sensory inputs. Despite this, soundscape design remains an underexplored avenue for enhancing spatial experience in built environments. Using virtual reality technology, this study simulated how musical soundscape, including objective musical attributes (mode, tempo, reverberation time—RT), and subjective music evaluations, affect spatial perception and roaming behavior within exhibition spaces featuring diverse layouts. The key findings are as follows: (1) The explanatory contributions of music attributes and subjective evaluations vary across different spatial perceptual dimensions. For instance, major mode and slow tempo significantly enhance spatial scale perception, whereas music familiarity plays a role in influencing spatial legibility. (2) Visual factors have an inherent effect on spatial perception, with significant impacts on spatial scale, fluidity, abundance, and legibility. (3) Music influences spatial perception across different layouts, and its mediating effects on roaming behavior differ. For instance, in axial spaces, increasing spatial abundance positively impacts roaming time and range, with RT conditions playing a key role. In shape-contrast spaces, spatial legibility significantly influences roaming range, with mode and familiarity affecting the results. This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the complex interactions between music, spatial perception, and human behavior, offering valuable insights for future soundscape design.