The Metaverse is a topic that is on everyone’s lips today, ever since Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talked about it in October 2021. Since then, we have all started reading up on this concept and trying to imagine what our lives will be like when we are obsessed with it.
Different branches of the metaverse also enter the field of architecture and design, and below we will tell you what it is, but first let’s understand what the metaverse is.
What is the metaverse?
The Metaverse is a virtual world that includes different forms of communication such as virtual reality, 3D holographic avatars, augmented reality, video and other channels. Through the metaverse, users have the opportunity to «live their lives» in a digital world and interact with each other through avatars and virtual reality technologies.The Metaverse is the phenomenon we are all moving towards, photo source: finshots.com
The concept of the metaverse was first used in the games «Second Life» and «Roblox». The first offers players the opportunity to create a second life in a virtual environment. There they have the opportunity to explore spectacular landscapes, they can build castles, forests and much more. However, the metaverse became widely known when Mark Zuckerberg declared that the metaverse is the next step in the growth of social networks.
How does the metaverse influence architecture?
Architects have a significant contribution in realizing imaginative projects in the metaverse. As time passes, traditional architecture will merge with that of the metaverse, so much so that architects who carry out their activities in the virtual environment will no longer only deal with the design of the buildings in which we carry out our daily activities, but will also deal with the form, geometry and images of the metaverse.
According to experts, architects who design in the metaverse will need to do 3D modeling, integrate professional knowledge in different fields, including user interface, content and character design. This will have an impact on the way of teaching in specialized universities, because courses on digital media and new technologies will have to be included.
In an interview for eurourbanism.ro, parametric-architecure.com stated that the metaverse can be a new frontier in architectural conservation. “As many buildings have collapsed due to natural or man-made disasters, the metaverse could be the platform to preserve buildings in this digital reality, for the sake of future generations. It can be considered a way to express and explore architectural heritage that allows online users to have immersive interaction with the environment and each other.
The differences between metaverse and architecture
The first thing is the space itself, because «classical» architecture assumes that you physically interact with your space. At the same time, in the metaverse there are no restrictions and rules like those in reality, such as gravity, building structure, and climate issues that affect the architecture of a building. In this way, architects have freedom in choosing and designing buildings.
Another notable difference is the atmosphere created with the help of visual and auditory effects that is much more pronounced than in reality. And the last difference is the execution time. If in “classical” architecture a site was needed to erect a building, in the metaverse the entire project requires the same amount of time and effort.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of architecture in the metaverse?
One of the advantages is the fact that in Metaverse clients have the opportunity to experience the project created by the architect for a period of time and see if it is what they need, before the actual realization of the project. One of the disadvantages is the long time spent in front of the computer, which can be harmful in the long run.
One of the most recent interesting projects is that of PUBG Mobile together with Zaha Hadid Architects through which a virtual environment was created in which players from all over the world can live a new experience.
When we talk about the Metaverse in architecture, it is important to understand that the only way to evolve in this field is to be constantly updated with the newest trends and phenomena and adapt your way of working to them. For example, NFTs have attracted millions of dollars in investments, so architects and even interior designers can display their work there to be purchased, to build a brand, and to be even more successful.
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