Touching Spaces: Interactive Physicalization for Exploring Spatial Information

Touching Spaces: Interactive Physicalization for Exploring Spatial Information | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Touching Spaces: Interactive Physicalization for Exploring Spatial Information Fatemeh Yazdanbakhsh, Hessam Djavaherpour, Peter Dawson, Faramarz Samavati This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8415354/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Digital resources associated with socially significant public buildings and heritage sites range from basic information (e.g., names, functions, room numbers) to extensive archives, including images, oral histories, and videos—typically accessed through websites, mobile apps, or AR/VR platforms. However, these screen-based interfaces lack the tactile and spatial benefits of physical models. Physicalization supports embodied engagement, but physical models alone cannot convey the depth of digital records. This research explores hybrid physical– digital interfaces that link tangible models with digital resources to foster deeper engagement with physical settings. Our prototype integrates 3D printing, conductive paint, and touch sensors with a web service that links hotspots on a model to associated geometry, narration, and video displayed on large screens or mobile devices.We deployed the system in an exhibition at the University of Calgary and conducted a user study. Empirical findings indicate that participants considered the design easy to use and engaging, and that hybrid interaction enhanced both access to digital information and perceived understanding of each location’s history. Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files paperdemolowerresolution.mp4 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 08 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 04 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 07 Jan, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 22 Dec, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 22 Dec, 2025 First submitted to journal 21 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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