How the COVID-19 Pandemic has Brought the Future of Architecture Forward
June 10, 2020
There has been a widespread adoption of technology and VR over the past few months in response to the lockdown across all of society. Elderly grandparents who were once resistant to adopt new technologies talk of “Zooming” and have started video chatting with their family members to combat loneliness.
Art galleries that were once considered stuffy or pretentious are now pioneers in VR technology, with Google Art & Culture offering tours of London’s National Gallery or the Musee D’Orsay in Paris. These virtual tours deliver art in a dynamic new way that can be far more engaging than regular photos. Critics have applauded the panoramic and immersive views of gallery building and exhibitions which work well for rendering of 2 dimensional art, however impressions of sculpture is somewhat lacklustre. With VR technology, users can enjoy a truly immersive experience in the comforts, and safety, of their own home. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as an accelerant for the arts and entertainment industries to embrace VR.
VR and architecture offer other valuable opportunities for architects. The future of VR goes far beyond its use as an elevated presentation tool. VR will become integral to the design process, with the ability to make changes on the spot. In the future, clients will be able to interact fully with the space, engage with the design and have it respond back- imagine being able to open a cupboard door or draw the curtains in a design.
In a not distant future, virtual walkthroughs will allow architects to experience the design of a building and make modifications from within the 3d environment. Collaboration and integration with BIM technologies will only make these tools more effective and are well suited for the socially distanced age we are living in now.
Throughout history, pandemics have been pivotal in driving large social and technical progress and it’s short period of influence COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of new technologies, including online communication and VR. This opens up a world of opportunity for architects that will change the way architects design, collaborate and communicate with clients forever.
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