Introduction (Updated)

1.0 Introduction: An Overlook to Virtual Reality 

The first thing that comes to the mind when one speaks the word virtual reality tend to conjure up images of a digital world such as those seen in a science fiction movie, or having to put on head gears or using machines to enter a different world like that portrayed in the movie The Matrix. However, there is no actual definition of what virtual reality really is as everyone has different perceptions and understandings. But in actual, virtual reality really just begins with the mind. For example, when one reads a book their mind would form a picture of the place or person described by an author, or say when one dreams, our dreams sometimes seems so real that we would experience deja vu or might even mix up our dreams with reality. These can also considered as virtual reality as it is a made believe world, and we immerse ourselves into it through our mind. The term merely means a world that exists beyond ours, an imagined or made up world. The word 'Virtual', as quoted from the Oxford dictionary, merely means 'almost or very nearly the thing described, so that any slight difference is not important'.

One of the reasons why it has been closely linked to digital or computer generated environments is because computers help realise the world for the users to view has made it easier to picture a world outside our own, and as present day, even allows the users to be immersed in it to a certain extent, and we might someday be able to be fully immersed in it.

Having computer aid helps put those thoughts to shape to let others see our point of view. The exact year that computers started being used is unknown, but it is believed to be sometimes in the 1950s. In the year 1957, Cinematography Morton Heilig first built a machine called the Sensorama, which allowed the users to watch films three dimensionally by having a stereoscopic display, fans, stereo speakers and a moving chair.

In 1961, Philco Corporate engineers produced the first Head Mounted Display (HMD) called the Headsight. It consist of a magnetic tracking system that determines the direction the head moves and is designed to be used with a closed circuit system. Though these devices contribute to the ideas for a virtual experience, the computer and image generation were yet to be incorporated.

Ivan Sutherland invented the sketchpad which is a program that he wrote in 1963 for his PhD thesis. It allows one to draw directly onto the computer screen with a pen and it revolutionized how one would interact with the computer. He also published an essay titled 'The Ultimate Display', published in 1965, whereby he wrote his thought about the future and possibilities of virtual reality which mostly became true.


2.0 Defining Virtual Architecture 

Virtual Architecture refers to the buildings that are present in a virtual dimension. They exist in an alternate virtual world and are realised through the aid of computer software to give the viewers a better comprehension of the building and surroundings. Such examples are 3D walkthrough or perspectives (Figure) used in the architectural industry to help designers convey their ideas to clients. Such walkthroughs shows the building in detail so it could be seen how it would look like in real before it is actually built. Another example is buildings portrayed in games whereby players could actually interact with the surroundings through an avatar, making the game more realistic and explorative for the players (Figure). They are also used in archaeology to help historians revive old architecture for them further understand the issue and assist them in their studies (Figure). Virtual Architecture could range from buildings dated back all the way to the prehistoric era, to the buildings presented in a sci-fi universe. They are representations of buildings from what our human mind pictures and is then transformed into visuals in order to share the thoughts with others. It is an effective platform to convey ideas to others rather than just using mere words. It opens up a whole new side to how one could view architecture. In the past, buildings were done in 2D drawings on paper (Figure & Figure) which sometimes are hard for people to fully understand what the designer is thinking or hard to picture a space in reality due to the lack of details. Programs that are typically used today are softwares such as 3Ds max, Maya, SolidWorks, Google Sketchup, etc.

Interview - Mr. Dickie Ong

Have just done my interview with Mr. Dickie today, would like to express my gratitude here to him for making time for me and for giving me advice and insights into the real actual architecture world, it has definitely given me a thought or two to think about.

Info below is a brief introduction about him, it is taken from Caroline's blog with her permission, thanks for allowing me to take the info!

Mr. Dickie Ong Chye Huat

Education : Architecture – University of East London

Professional Status :
Mr Dickie Ong is the principal of Axial Interior Design and has more than 20 years of working experience as a designer. He worked for numerous architectural and interior design firms and has experience in design and builds projects mostly in hospitality and corporate office. Over the years Mr Dickie has also managed projects overseas. He has attained Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture and is also a registered interior designer with the Board of Architects; Malaysia (LAM) http://www.lam.gov.my and a fellow member of Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers.

He is also :

• A member of the Inspection Team of Malaysian Hotel by Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism Malaysia

• A member of Technological Association Malaysia (TAM)

• A visiting lecturer at KBU International College, Sunway University

• A industry panelist at the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

 Project Experiences :
Proposed Malacca Hotel; Melaka
ONE Bahrain (Serviced & Residence Apartments) , Bahrain
600 Hectar Masterplan – Vungthua, Vietnam
Le Meridien Hotel, Coimbatore, India
Impiana Villa- Kato Noi, Phuket, Thailand
AoPo Marina-Phuket, Thailand
Dining (KELAH) Cruise – Putrajaya, Malaysia
Holiday Villa Serviced Apartment, Kuala Lumpur
Grandstand No 3, Royal Brunei Polo Club, Brunei
Palace for the Foreign Minister; Hijau Baiduri Brunei
Miller Insurance (Corporate Office), Damansara, Malaysia
Rabo Bank (Corporate Office), KL, Malaysia
Proposed Refugees Transit Camp for UNHCR & Red Crescent, Malaysia
Pan Pacific Hotel; KLIA
Royal India Fine Dining Restaurant; Double Tree, Kuala Lumpur
Charlie Brown Cafe; KLCC Kuala Lumpur

Interview conducted on 20th November 2012, 5.30 pm

Survey

This has been long overdue, but I've finally completed the online version of my survey, do help fill out my survey for me, pretty please and thanks!

http://www.surveypie.com/survey101700

Focus Point

It's been weeks and yet I'm still confused of what my topic is about, as I'm a fickle minded person who tend to change her mind every now and then, and sometimes I even stray off what I was initially doing, but I've finally decided to focus my dissertation topic on the users rather than so many different aspects. Afterall at the end of the day design is more for the masses rather than the designer themselves.

Architecture, as we all know, are built for mankind to have a better quality of life, and designs have been improving due to the needs and wants of people to live in a more comfortable environment. As time goes by, design evolves to suit these ever changing needs. And who better to know what these needs are than the masses themselves? Designers can only design based on what they think people need, which sometimes ain't the case, which happened back during the modernist era. They tried giving the public a utopian city but what the public really want is just a typical classical style building. And so, in the end, resulted in their downfall. The same would go for an architects career if all he know how to do is design what he wants for his clients, and not what his clients want.

By being able to build virtual architecture, people are not burden by cost or any limitations, and thus, more people including non designers are able to attempt their own designs. Art and design has really evolved into a field for all, as opposed to only being available to a niche market centuries back. It makes people far more open minded and more acceptable towards others, having less discrimination around us, making the world a less cruel place.

Something Random

I find that whenever I'm stuck with writing my dissertation, I tend to just come to my blog to express some of my thought, and in some ways it does help me think better. I'm sure that many of us experience writer's block (is this even a term?) every once in awhile, and we can sometimes sit there for hours thinking of what to write and yet nothing comes. But just try this little exercise that I like to do, which is writing down everything that comes to you mind, regardless of whether right or wrong, if it makes sense or not, just write it down and filter it through later, and you could sometimes come up with things that you've never even thought about before (hopefully).

So here I am thinking of how exactly should I define Virtual Architecture. All I could come up with is architecture or buildings that exist in a virtual dimension, and that barely makes up a paragraph. I could throw in a few examples of architects using it or buildings in games that people could interact with, but what else? I am basically going to talk about how does designing buildings, in this virtual dimension, help users to comprehend or appreciate design more, maybe they could even use it to their own benefits like trying to create their own design. Games like Sims (one of my all time favorite) allows you to build your own buildings, dummy style! The functions are so straight forward that even kids could give a try in designing their own homes, all u have to do is click and drag. How I wish that 3D max was like that too.

Viewing virtual architecture helps you understand a space more clearly, rather than just words. Visuals are the most easily perceived matter by the mind, it is the first thing children responds to, and architecture could be exposed to kids at a young age due to this technology. They could be given games like Sims to let them have fun interacting with the buildings and develop a liking towards the field. Nowadays, many people are giving a hand in the field due to the easily accessible platform. 3D programs are at vast and anyone with interest could experiment with it and come up with their own designs. Even my dad designed the house I'm currently living in using all these programs last time despite not being in the design field.

I guess that wraps up my random thoughts for tonight, it's getting a little late. Will come back for more babbling when I get stuck again.

Interview Questions

*Updated*

The list of questions that I plan on asking industry professionals:

 To VR professionals:

1. How would you define Virtual Reality?
2. What type of Virtual Reality systems or programs does your company specialize in?
3. Can you explain how it works?
4. How long have you been in this line?
5. How does VR interact with the users or benefit the users?
6. Is it an effective platform to reach out to the users? Why so?
7. Do you think VR has a role in architecture & design?
8. How do you think it would help the architectural industry?
9. What are its future possibilities?
10. What are its limitations currently?
11. Do you see a market for it in the future?

 To Architects:

1. What sort of programs does your company use in the designing process?
2. How do you find its effectiveness when presenting the idea to the client?
3. Is it easier to communicate with the client through virtual walkthrough or does it complicate the situation?
4. Do you know any of your clients also deal with 3D programs like you?
5. If yes, is it easier for them to understand you and make relevant inputs to the design as compared to those who do not deal with 3D programs?
6. How do you think designing architecture virtually will benefit the industry?
7. Are there any limitations currently?
8. What do you think are its future possibilities?

I have sent these questions out to a number of companies, so far one has replied saying that they would get back to me, hopefully they will give me a favourable reply soon.

Second Life

After so long I've finally managed to try out Second Life. It was introduced to me by my tutor as he told me that it would help me further understand my dissertation topic as I could live my life in an alternate, virtual dimension through an avatar in the game.

For those of you who haven't heard of the game, it is basically a social platform whereby you control an avatar to go about your activities. Picture the game Sims but in a more realistic manner. You could purchase in game items, meet people, do activities together, etc. I have heard somewhere too that apparently someone created a game in the game and because it was so popular it eventually be turned into a game in reality. Not too sure what game is that though, will try to find out.

So yes, that's pretty much what the game is about, living your life in a virtual world. I just started so I don't really know how to get things done. All I know how is to move the character around, move to different destination, change clothes. And because my line at home is so slow it gave me a headache moving around as the buildings take forever to load! I guess there's just too much details. I shall go find somewhere with better connection to test out the game.

Here's a screen shot of my avatar:

Oh, and did I mention that you can fly too?

If you look closely in the image above you could see some little humans down there, those are other players in the game.

That's how the marketplace looks in the game. Not sure if there's a more realistic one such as supermarkets or restaurants in the game, have yet to find out. These marketplace are pretty much in every destination and there are a lot offering stuff for free, there's even a place for newbies where they give a whole bunch of free things! So you don't have to worry about having to spend real money if you intend to just play it for fun.

See the girl in green in front of me and the one on the upper left? They're dancing Gangnam style!

Anyone interested in joining me in the game? Do let me know if you're playing!