The components of 3D Virtual environment design in immersive Virtual Reality for cultural heritage preservation

This study examines the use of 3D virtual environment design components in immersive Virtual Reality (VR) applications for cultural heritage preservation. As intangible cultural heritage faces challenges from modernisation and declining public interest, particularly among younger generations, immersive VR offers an opportunity to present cultural narratives in engaging and interactive ways. This research aims to identify the key components of 3D environment design used in cultural heritage VR and analyse their implementation across existing projects. A qualitative content analysis approach was applied, using a structured 5-point rating scale to evaluate seven (7) immersive VR heritage projects. The evaluation framework included components such as terrain, structures, props, lighting, atmosphere, storytelling, interactivity, and sound design. The results show that storytelling and architectural structures scored highest in consistency and cultural impact, while props and object interaction were less effectively utilised. This suggests that while many VR heritage applications succeed in visual and narrative immersion, they often lack depth in interactivity and functional realism. The study concludes that 3D design frameworks, when carefully implemented, can significantly enhance user engagement and cultural authenticity in immersive heritage experiences. These findings provide design insights for VR developers and cultural institutions aiming to create more meaningful, interactive, and preservation-focused virtual environments.