Over the past two years, the metaverse has gained prominence,
prompting architects to consider its implications for our relationship with the physical environment.
And how can architecture contribute to this new virtual space.
Architecture in the metaverse is no longer a fringe topic, now that established companies have embraced it.
The real meaning is where a lot of architectural work and innovation will happen in the coming period.
Unencumbered by limitations such as physics, material properties, and construction costs,
the metaverse opened up a new realm of architectural expression.
Below takes a look at some of the different ways the profession is engaging with the expanding field of digital environments.
Unlike the origami architecture of the 20th century, the architecture of the metaverse serves commercial purposes, and continues to be supported by a relationship between an architect.
As strange as it sounds, large sums of money are being invested in the digital earth,
and it is expected to become a trillion dollar industry.
Many are quick to become a part of it, and designing their virtual environments comes into focus
, as evidenced by new job openings such as Decentraland Architects.
A newly created 3D architecture and design studio helps users of the Decentraland virtual world blockchain to develop their properties in the metaverse.
Virtual museums
Digital art museums and galleries have been around for several years in the form of virtual tours of important institutions,
but this trend has only been exacerbated by the pandemic and the growing popularity of NFTs.
Sotheby’s has created a digital replica of its London headquarters in Decentraland,
which functions as a virtual art gallery.
The architects have also committed themselves to this new form of art display.
For Art Basel Miami, Zaha Hadid Architects created a virtual art gallery called NFTism,
To explore architecture and social interaction in the metaverse.
Based on MMO technologies, the virtual gallery featured designs created by ZHA that focused on the user experience.
work environments
Virtual meeting rooms have been ubiquitous since the start of the pandemic.
But the possibilities of new virtual workspaces have attracted not only software companies,
but also established architecture firms.
Last year, UNStudio and Bjarke Ingels Group partnered with Squint / Opera to develop SpaceForm ,
It is a cloud-based virtualization platform that facilitates design, review,
and collaboration processes for architects and developers.
The prototype, which simulates 3D environments with remote optimization scope,
was developed in 2018 and subsequently improved based on feedback from architects and designers.
Bjarke Ingels combines the capabilities of the latest SpaceForm prototype as “a future-enhancing creative and collaborative environment,
Which will allow the immediate convergence of the actual and the imagined,
the fusion of the present and the future in our enhanced sense of reality.
Business Ventures in the Metaverse
Architects are currently being commissioned to design masterplans and architectural spaces in the metaverse,
This gave rise to a whole new area of expertise within the profession.
Grim Shaw has been commissioned to design a project in the metaverse for the upcoming pax.world platform.
The platform offers users who purchase a plot of land in the metaverse to create their own ruin and use
it as a virtual headquarters, educational space, or entertainment venue.
Grimshaw is also set to design the first four gathering spaces for pax.world,
Dubbed “metaserai”, caravanserai traveled along ancient trade routes.
Zaha Hadid recently designed a virtual “libertarian mini-state” in the metaverse titled The Liberland Metaverse,
Which features hyper-realistic areas.
The office used its knowledge and experience in spatial design,
wayfinding, and social framing to create the virtual development.
And since companies are required to have physical space as well,
The company strongly believes in the synergy between virtual and physical environments.
Thus, it is the architects who should design these sites, not the graphic designers.
The metaverse is still very much debated.
Some consider it the future of architecture,
others a speculative phenomenon where most interactions are monetised.
Whether the metaverse reveals a new revenue stream for architects,
or a paradigm shift within the profession remains to be seen.
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