In this paper we present the experiences of integrating Virtual Reality based User Studies into a one-semester architectural design studio. The goal of this studio was to equip students with knowledge and methods for more systematically describing and evaluating user-centered qualities. The design task was on a new train station for a small German city. After a short design phase, students developed a concept for a user study for studying the effect of key design parameters on aspects such as wayfinding, welcomeness and waiting experience. Exemplary results of these studies are presented. Further, we display the student's feedback to the course and outline recommendations for integrating user studies into architectural design studios.

New advances in user studies within Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) have made possible highly immersive Pre-Occupancy Evaluations (Pr-OEs) during the architectural design process. However, there remains a lack of easy methods for integrating these IVEbased user studies into design development phases while also providing reliable datadriven results. In VREVAL, a framework for IVE-based architectural user studies, several technical and interface solutions for architectural user studies have been addressed. In the following paper, recent developments in the VREVAL hybrid web platform and desktop application will be reviewed via the presentation of a partial Pr-OE of four alternative train station designs. By examining the design process of a route choice user study which compares four schematic designs, the VREVAL modular methods for creating study tasks and questionnaires within a BIM-generated IVE will be demonstrated.

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