Unreal: How designers are creating a virtual world

Contents:

• Home and Workspaces
• Hotel
• "Space" Buildings
• City
• Universe

The digital age has radically changed the approach to architectural and product design. Over the past thirty years, parabolic buildings and complex furniture shapes, such as chairs and tables, created using modern software solutions, have become commonplace. Computer-aided design allows architects and designers to realize the boldest ideas, creating unique and functional objects. This transformation opens new horizons in design and construction, making it possible to realize the most avant-garde concepts.

In today's world, only true professionals, and even then not always, are able to distinguish between photographs of real interiors and high-quality visualizations. Real buildings and objects often reveal their computer-generated origins, which testifies to significant progress in the field of graphics and design. The concept of the "metaverse" has become an integral part of the lives of millions of people, changing the perception of virtual reality and its impact on architecture and interiors. These changes highlight how technology is shaping our view of space and interaction with the world around us.

During the pandemic, many designers have noticed that the design space has expanded significantly thanks to new virtual capabilities. The metaverse requires the creation of a variety of objects similar to those found in the real world: cities, streets, houses, interiors, and collectibles. It requires a variety of objects, such as shopping malls, office spaces, hotels, bars, restaurants, apartments and houses, and all their components. Designing in virtual reality is becoming an important part of contemporary design, opening new horizons for creativity and innovation.

In this article, we will examine the exciting proposals that designers are offering in the metaverse. The metaverse opens new horizons for creative ideas and innovative projects, allowing designers to create unique virtual spaces and interact with users on a completely new level. We'll discuss the key aspects that make these offerings compelling, as well as their impact on the evolution of digital technologies and user experience.

Home and Workspaces

The metaverse is attracting the attention of developers, and it's no surprise. Companies focused exclusively on virtual real estate have emerged on the market. A prime example is the real estate agency The Row, which recently launched a project to create 30 virtual buildings. These unique structures were created by renowned artists such as Daniel Arsham, Andres Reisinger, Misha Kahn, and Alexis Christodoulou, as well as studios Six N. Five and Hard Architects. Thus, the metaverse is becoming not only a platform for entertainment but also a promising area for business.

The artists create not just functional objects, but striking images, making each of the 30 buildings unique and memorable. For example, Andres Reisinger designed a transparent villa that changes color depending on the time of day, creating astonishing visual effects. No less impressive is the cantilevered house proposed by Greek architect Alexis Christodoulou. Hard Architects unveiled a villa resembling a giant black pill, set on a white base and surrounded by a surface of water. Meanwhile, the team at Six N. Five designed a shapeless house that hangs precariously over a chasm between two cliffs, adding an element of peril and dynamism to the architectural landscape. Each of these projects demonstrates the power of architectural art, combining creativity and innovative solutions.

There are many augmented reality (XR) collaboration apps on the market that aim to connect teams and improve cohesion. Morpheus X, a New York-based company founded by Moscow-based architect Mikhail Krymov, designs innovative workspaces for distributed teams. It offers not only unique interaction environments but also detailed interiors and employee avatars, which facilitates improved communication and team coordination. The use of XR technologies significantly increases the efficiency of collaboration, creating a more immersive and interactive environment for task completion.

Hotel

The hotel industry is beginning to show interest in the metaverse, exploring new development opportunities. CitizenM was the first brand to announce the construction of a virtual hotel, CitizenM. The financing model is innovative: first, a plot of "land" is purchased on the Sandbox platform, after which CitizenM launches the sale of 2,000 NFTs to raise funds for the hotel's construction. Owners of these NFTs will receive benefits such as discounts or free drinks at real-world hotels in the chain. This is a step not only towards digitalization, but also towards creating new forms of interaction with clients.

All NFTs will have the same value, but buyers will be randomly assigned different levels. Ultimately, 1,500 NFTs will be designated as "ordinary" citizens, 450 as "special," and 50 as "legendary." Despite the randomness, this hierarchy is formed again. This creates interesting interactions between users and emphasizes the uniqueness of each level.

"Space" Buildings

Many functional buildings have already been implemented in the metaverse. One striking example is the virtual building created by Voxel Architects for the final show of the Auroboros brand's "Biomimicry" collection at Metaverse Fashion Week. This building, reminiscent of a space rocket, is surrounded by a blue glow and light discharges of electric current, creating a unique atmosphere. Such projects highlight not only the creativity of architects but also the possibilities of virtual reality in the fields of fashion and art, opening up new horizons for audience interaction.

Artist Christa Kim has attracted the attention of NFT fans with her unique virtual villa, dubbed the "Martian House." Kim's core concept was to create interiors that promote meditative and healing effects. To visualize her project, she collaborated with an architect and used Unreal Engine, a powerful software program commonly used in video game development. Recently, the virtual house, a 3D digital file, sold for 288 Ether, equivalent to $512,000. This project highlights the growing interest in digital art and NFTs, and opens new horizons for the interaction between art and technology.

City

In the conditions Growing geopolitical disputes are opening up new possibilities in the virtual environment. British studio Liberland Metaverse has developed a concept for a virtual city in the territory disputed between Croatia and Serbia. Architects from the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, founded by Zaha Hadid, were commissioned to design it. The project aims to create a user-friendly and attractive cyberspace where users can purchase land plots using cryptocurrency. A key aspect is the ability for buyers to enter digital buildings using their avatars, adding interactivity and immersing them in a unique virtual experience. The architects have created a city hall, a town square, and an exhibition center that are striking in their design and functionality. These buildings look as if they were designed by Zaha Hadid herself. Patrik Schumacher, her former right-hand man, maintains the continuity of her ideas and unique style. His vision and approach to architecture help preserve the distinctive features of her work, making new buildings not only contemporary but also seamlessly integrated into the existing urban landscape.

Universe

Russian designer Taras Zheltyshev, known for his unique, limited-edition furniture pieces, has been developing his own art universe, Yoomoota, since 2020. Within this project, he combines innovative ideas and high quality, creating original interior solutions. Zheltyshev's works attract the attention of both design connoisseurs and furniture professionals, highlighting his individual style and creative approach. Yoomoota is becoming a platform for the realization of bold concepts and experimental forms, contributing to the development of contemporary Russian design.

I gradually delved into painting, sculpture, and art creation. Yoomoota is a unique universe, uniting several planets and their inhabitants. I am currently working on a large collection of 30 objects for a solo exhibition that fully demonstrates the concept of this universe. I have developed numerous scenarios in which each planet has its own history, structure, and economy. All of this is carefully crafted, including detailed descriptions of each character and their reactions.

The planet "Curiosity" is inhabited by characters with empty heads, which requires careful development of their images - from helmets to gloves. Each of the 30 planets offers limitless scenario possibilities. I have implemented 3084 characters, although there could have been up to 10 thousand. That's why Yoomoota is becoming a brand that gives hundreds of artists the opportunity to realize their ideas and talents.

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The metaverse has become an object of interest for artists, architects, developers, and representatives of the hotel business. We are closely monitoring their initiatives and making an important decision - to remain in the familiar world or to integrate physical reality with virtual space. With technology advancing rapidly and interest in digital platforms growing, it's important to appreciate how the metaverse can transform traditional approaches and create new business opportunities.

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