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

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.

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. What your mind imagines, a world or place that takes shape in the mind, is a form of virtual reality. For example, when one reads 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 exist beyond ours, an imagined or made up world. The word 'Virtual' merely means 'almost or very nearly the thing described, so that any slight difference is not important' (Oxford Dictionary).

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 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 sometime in the 1960s. Ivan Sutherland invented the sketchpad which is a program that he wrote in 1963 for his PhD thesis (thesis could be read here). 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 (essay could be read here), whereby he wrote his thought about the future and possibilities of virtual reality which mostly became true.


(To be continued)

Dissertation Hypothesis

The hypothesis to my dissertation:

• One of the most effective platform for designers to reach out to the public as almost anyone could have access to VR at minimal cost

• Designers are able to communicate more effectively with the general mass through visuals and interaction

• Designers and clients are able to communicate through VR despite the distance

• Architecture will not only be limited to architects as the public are also able to design their own buildings virtually

• Designers would learn to pay more attention to details especially through designing architecture in games as gamers will want a stronger sense of reality

• Attract new architects and designers with its fantasy and conceptual designs as these are the type of designs human find interesting at early stages

• Inspires new technology to realize conceptual designs

• Sparks interest to the public towards the architectural field as anyone can practice designing buildings virtually

• More people are able to appreciate architecture as they could interact with buildings virtually

• People could travel around the world and experience different things virtually without having to leave home

• Provides more flexibility when designing and is especially suitable for new comers as it has no boundaries and limitation

A Virtual Experience Through Pictures

I remembered a friend of mine sent me a link to a site awhile ago that featured 360° photographic view of The Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which i found pretty interesting. It features several areas from the church and allows you to turn the camera around and zoom in and out to have a 360° view of the church, which kind of makes you feel like you're standing in the church personally. Here's the link to the site:

http://www.360tr.com/kudus/kiyamet_eng/index.html

Do check it out!

What Exactly is Virtual Reality?

Mentioning the term virtual reality to others would normally result in a similar perception, that is wearing gears to stimulate our senses and immerse ourselves in a 4 dimensional world. This is most likely because it was made popular by films such as Matrix and Avatar, whereby the main character is 'sent' to another world by devices and machines.

But virtual reality need not only refer to the simulator. Virtual reality is basically a generic term for a world that exist in a computer generated environment where one could interact with at a certain degree. One of the most common virtual reality that most people have experienced is gaming. Game developers nowadays are coming up with more realistic gaming environment to give gamers a sense of reality. The surroundings are much more interactive than before and there are cities and towns to explore much like how one would when visiting a foreign country.

However, the virtual world isn't only limited to games. Designers are using it to their own benefit to assist them it whatever ways that are limited with pen and paper. There are millions of possibilities when it comes to virtual architecture as there are no limit to its boundaries. Walkthroughs, 3D, and possibly one day the technology to use a VR simulator to walk the client through a CG building would come through.

Having discovered so many aspects to look at in the field of virtual reality, it is only possible for me to look at specific ones. Perhaps I should investigate on the relationship between the designers and users through VR? This leaves me much to think about...

Moving to a Virtual World

The virtual world is beginning to take over our lives especially with the addition of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many, many more. One cannot deny that it is one of the reason why people nowadays do not socialize face to face anymore, but is it really that bad?

We are now living in a fast paced world. A minute or maybe even a second of information delay can make a difference to people, stock brokers require immediate information if not they might lose millions. A patient might need a donor in the next hour and it's up to all the modern technology to help transfer the information.

There are pros and cons to everything, even the things that seem bad at first glace. Virtual reality has opened up much possibilities not only in the architectural or design world, but also in the scientific, archeological, businesses and much more. It has provided us with a virtual platform to keep in touch with one another despite the distance and made a lot of things much convenient as we could access most of it at home.

I would further explore the potential and possibilities of virtual reality especially towards architecture and design in the coming weeks in hopes that it would provoke people's thoughts and make them aware of the benefits virtual reality would bring us.