Shaping the future of interactive architecture design: Exploring media architecture design in virtual design environments in a university context

Virtual design environment tools such as virtual reality can refine the methods and tools of existing design processes of media architecture (Dalsgaard et al., 2016; Guney, 2015). Architecture does not have to be static anymore. Architecture designs can be interactive and temporary and capable of shifting in a short time to address different problems or needs by incorporating media into architectural structures (Haeusler et al., 2012). Media architecture can be understood as materials or objects with dynamic properties, such as interactive sources of light or moving elements, which embody the physical space on an architectonic scale. Most media architecture installations allow dynamic interaction or show interactive content (Brynskov et al., 2015). Traditionally architecture is designed with static design tools such sketches, drawings and physical models (Schon, 1985). However,there is little research about how to employ design tools to capture interaction media design in an architectural context.Besides, in the higher education context virtual design environment tools are able to refine traditional teaching approaches while discovering new ways of design thinking and creating design solutions in architecture schools (Gross & Do, 1999; Salmanet al., 2008). With my research, I proposed a scheme for a design course, which I implemented and evaluated in an architectural design studio setting based on a literature review of architectural education, media architecture and interaction design, and virtual design environment tools.In this presentation, I will showcase my research's current state and explain how I taught to design interactive media architecture installations to architecture students at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia and Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Germany in 2020. I will explain the teaching approach, the employed tools and show design results. I am concluding with recommendations for teaching architecture students the use of virtual design environment tools in media architecture design and exploring how we design architecture tomorrow. References:Brynskov, M., Dalsgaard, P., & Halskov, K. (2015). Media Architecture: Engaging Urban Experiences in Public Space. In J. Lossau& Q. Stevens (Eds.), The Uses of Art in Public Space (pp. 51–66). http://site.ebrary.com/id/10994059Dalsgaard, P., Halskov, K., & Wiethoff, A. (2016). Designing Media Architecture: Tools and Approaches for Addressing theMain Design Challenges. Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2562–2573.Gross, M., & Do, E. (1999). Integrating digital media in design studio: Six paradigms. Proceedings of the American CollegeSchools of Architecture Conference, Minneapolis, gub.Guney, D. (2015). The Importance of Computer-aided Courses in Architectural Education. Procedia - Social and BehavioralSciences, 176, 757–765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.537Haeusler, M. H., Tomitsch, M., Tscherteu, G., & Berkel, B. van. (2012). New media facades: A global survey. Avedition.Salman, H., Laing, R., & Conniff, A. (2008). The Changing Role of CAAD in the Architectural Design Studio. The Built and HumanEnvironment Review, 1, 25.Schon, D. A. (1985). The design studio: An exploration of its traditions and potentials. RIBA Publications for RIBA BuildingIndustry Trust ; Exclusive distributor, ISBS.