Agent-Based Virtual Architecture

John S Gero and Mary Lou Maher Jgero@mit.edu and Marym@mit.edu

Fall 2002Time: Tuesday 9-12

Virtual Architecture

Virtual architecture, virtual worlds or cyberspace is an approach to understanding, representing and designing the World Wide Web as a functional place.

– Support various kinds of activities using a place metaphor.

– Use of architectural objects and principles.– Analogy to physical built environments.

Visualisation of Virtual Architecture

– Multi-user text-based virtual worlds.

– Two-dimensional graphical virtual worlds.– 3D immersive virtual worlds.

Visualisation of Virtual Architecture

1. 2. 3.

1. BayMOO (http://baymoo.sfsu.edu:4242).2. Tappedin (http://www.tappedin.org:8000).3. ActiveWorlds (http://www.activeworlds.com).

Origin of Virtual Architecture

1.The origin of the technology of virtual architecture is computer games, featuring the “gun”.

2.(http://www.simnet.com)

Examples of Virtual Architecture

1. 2. 3.

1.Cybertown: 3D Chat (http://www.cybertown.com)

2.Guggenheim virtual museum: virtual exhibition (http://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/virtual)

3.Virtual campus in the Faculty of Architecture, University of Sydney: online learning (http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au:7778)

3D Virtual Worlds: Quake & Blaxxun

Munich airport centre with Blaxxun (http://www.mac-airport.de)

3D Worlds restrict functions to moving around and various digital communication.

Games software has focused primarily on 3D rendering.

3D Virtual Worlds: LambdaMOO + VRML

Virtual campus (http://

www.arch.usyd.edu.au:7778)

Object representation in a MOO supports sophisticated tools such as projector, whiteboard, recorder, conversational robot.

Except for entering and exiting the room, most of the functions are separated from the visualisation.

Commands need to be typed in. The 3D model provides visual references only.

3D: Active Worlds & Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds (http://www.vworlds.org)

In these avatar-based worlds, the 3D objects have simple behaviours such as opening web pages.

Avatars can be programmed to act like agents.

Talking to each other happens by typing in a chat window.

Current 3D Virtual Architecture

1.Simulation of physical architecture/Surreal vision.

2.An escape from gravity, solidity and other physical restrictions.

3.An online environment with a sense of place and a sense of presence for people to communicate with others and to work on simple tasks.

Only 3D Virtual Architecture?

1.The origin of virtual worlds as Internet games and military simulation requires high “virtual reality”.

2.Superficial understanding of the architectural metaphor.

3.Original needs of virtual architecture as a simulation of physical architecture: multimedia presentation and CAAD.

Potential for Virtual Architecture

1.Better support for professional organisations.

2.Full potential of being virtual: dynamic structure, humanising place and so on.

Design Example: Virtual Office

Active Worlds Environment

Object Modelling