AgentBased Virtual Architecture

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Agent-Based Virtual Architecture

• John S Gero and Mary Lou Maher
• Jgero_at_mit.edu and Marym_at_mit.edu
• Fall 2002
• Time Tuesday 9-12

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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.

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Visualisation of Virtual Architecture

• Multi-user text-based virtual worlds.
• Two-dimensional graphical virtual worlds.
• 3D immersive virtual worlds.

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Visualisation of Virtual Architecture

• 1. 2.
  3.
• BayMOO (http//baymoo.sfsu.edu4242).
• Tappedin (http//www.tappedin.org8000).
• ActiveWorlds (http//www.activeworlds.com).

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Origin of Virtual Architecture

• The origin of the technology of virtual
  architecture is computer games, featuring the
  gun.
• (http//www.simnet.com)

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Examples of Virtual Architecture

• 1. 2.
  3.
• Cybertown 3D Chat (http//www.cybertown.com)
• Guggenheim virtual museum virtual exhibition
  (http//www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/virtual)
• Virtual campus in the Faculty of Architecture,
  University of Sydney online learning
  (http//www.arch.usyd.edu.au7778)

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3D Virtual Worlds Quake Blaxxun
3D Worlds restrict functions to moving around and
various digital communication. Games software
has focused primarily on 3D rendering.
Munich airport centre with Blaxxun
(http//www.mac-airport.de)
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3D Virtual Worlds LambdaMOO VRML
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.
Virtual campus (http//www.arch.usyd.edu.au7778)
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3D Active Worlds Virtual Worlds
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.
Virtual Worlds (http//www.vworlds.org)
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Current 3D Virtual Architecture

• Simulation of physical architecture/Surreal
  vision.
• An escape from gravity, solidity and other
  physical restrictions.
• 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.

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Only 3D Virtual Architecture?

• The origin of virtual worlds as Internet games
  and military simulation requires high virtual
  reality.
• Superficial understanding of the architectural
  metaphor.
• Original needs of virtual architecture as a
  simulation of physical architecture multimedia
  presentation and CAAD.

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Potential for Virtual Architecture

• Better support for professional organisations.
• Full potential of being virtual dynamic
  structure, humanising place and so on.

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Design Example Virtual Office
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Active Worlds Environment
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Object Modelling
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