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The Art of Video Game Architecture
Feb 25, 2020
Architects and video game designers are more similar than you think. You might be wondering why. Well, both use similar tools to conceptualise virtual buildings with a user centric approach in mind — except of course, one has the intention for it to be actually built in real life. We rarely hear of an overlap between these two professions but the commonality can be quite beneficial to both parties.
The Island of The Witness by Thelka Inc. and Jonathan Blow
Games for Social Change
Consider the UN-Habitat’s ‘Block by Block’ programme. When creating public spaces in poor and developing communities, UN-Habitat wanted to gather the perspective and ideas of the people that would be using it the most. To do this, they gave Minecraft to members of the community, giving them real input into the design of their public spaces. Using Minecraft, they created the kind of spaces and structures that they would like to see in their community, which team then took into consideration when designing the new public spaces. This flourishing programme has resulted in great projects all over the world, which you can check out at their website.
Another example is “Block’hood”, a neighbourhood planning simulator that asks the player to consider ecological, social, and economic factors while building. By creating a game where the player must balance the energy inputs and outputs of the building. Buildings are made up of block with special requirements, failing to follow them can lead to decay, entropy, and abandonment. The creator, Jose Sanchez, seeks to educate people on the complexity of city building and the global challenges of modern architecture.
‘The Fall’ by Beauty and the Bit for Bekerman’s Blog
An increasingly permeable connection between architecture and video game design can also be seen in architectural visualisation. One of the industry’s best, Ronen Bekerman’s Architectural Visualisation blog, showcases gorgeous concepts both for the real world and video game designs with the increasing photorealism of the latter making them almost indistinguishable from reality. Through competitions he runs, Bekerman sometimes asks readers to combine the two fields by creating architectural visualisations using video game engines like, Unreal 4. The results function not just as a showcase for a building, but mood pieces in their own right which could easily be the opening of a film or game. The winner of one competition, the visualisation for the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, shows this well. Tools ostensibly for video game creation can be fantastic tools for architects to create interactive 3D models, complementing the current trend of using VR to show clients potential spaces.
Building your Game Correctly
Of course, it goes both ways: the expertise of an architect can also be invaluable in developing video games. Historically, games would have been designed as separate levels, or hub worlds, with loading times between each area. This meant each area could have significantly different designs without it feeling jarring. Now, games in which the whole world is open to you, with little to no load times in between, are becoming increasingly common. These worlds need to function as a cohesive whole: with enough variety for the player to experience different environments while maintaining a consistent style and a natural transition in environment. Architects and landscape artists can be invaluable in achieving this. A good case study is, “The Witness”. "The Witness", is a game where the player finds themselves on a deserted island, populated only by derelict buildings and gorgeous scenery. While exploring the island, the player has to solve abstract puzzles linked to the environment and architecture around them. It’s a quiet, pensive game brought to life by the detail inserted into every area of the island.
To achieve this, director Jonathan Blow enlisted architects and landscape architects from outside the video game industry to give a unique perspective, not blinkered by the usual assumptions of video game design. Designing the game required creating distinct buildings for each area of the island, each inspired by the style of different eras and civilizations, a job best done by an architect. Many of the puzzles require the manipulation of light or perfectly aligning your view of a building to find the solution. The flora also plays a vital role, not just for puzzle design: there is no dialogue in the game and music is sparse, meaning the beauty of the island is an important part of keeping the player engaged. Deanna Van Buren, architect and FOURM design studio founder, had never worked in video games before and now advocates the inclusion of architects in the video game development process. In interviews, Van Buren talks about her experience working on games and how she no longer had to consider some constraints (the position of the sun never moves in The Witness) while having to consider new ones (how the player navigates the space). As shown in the Witness, incorporating real world architecture into games can make them feel more authentic. For another example take Gone Home, a game about a girl returning to her family home from college to find her family missing. The player explores the house, looking for clues and uncovering deeper details on her family’s identities and relationships. In that game the house is the only place the player goes, making its authenticity paramount to the player’s immersion.
Evidently, both architects and video game designers could benefit from the expertise and tools of the other’s profession. We’re looking forward to seeing what interesting new ideas will come about from these two collaborating using tools like Autodesk, VRay, Blender, and Unreal Engine.
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Strategies for Sustainable Home Design
Making more of less
Depending on your point of view, bungalows are either a cherished affordable house type that allowed homeowners of the 1970s the chance to realise the dream of owning their own home or the result of poor planning and insensitive sprawl, as epitomised by the cookie cutter designs of “Bungalow Bliss” which sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies; roughly one for every second household in the countryside. Times are changing, and as families grow, we increase our understanding of the environmental and financial costs of heating a home, and as lifestyles evolve, the need for additional space and adapting these dwellings becomes inevitable. Adapting these structures and embracing modernity doesn’t mean knocking them down and starting again. The concept of extending bungalows into contemporary dormer houses is gaining popularity. Here we explore the exciting opportunities of extending bungalows on tricky sites, offering a fresh perspective on creating modern dormer houses in Ireland. Utilising Challenging Terrain Ireland's diverse topography often presents architects with tricky sites. From sloping terrain to irregularly shaped plots, these challenges can be turned into design assets. Dormer houses perfectly adapt to such sites, as their design accommodates varying elevations and allows for creative use of space. By integrating well-planned dormers into the extension, architects can exploit the unique terrain to create stunning living spaces that embrace the beauty of the surroundings. Capturing Natural Light One of the standout features of dormer houses is their ability to maximise natural light. In Ireland, where weather patterns can be unpredictable, capturing ample sunlight is invaluable. Through careful positioning of dormer windows, skylights, and glazed walls, we can find ways to bathe the extended bungalow in natural light throughout the day. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes a sense of openness and connection with nature. Expanding Living Space The primary motivation behind extending a bungalow is to increase living space. Modern dormer houses take full advantage of this opportunity by offering versatile and spacious interiors. Homeowners can embrace open-plan layouts that seamlessly blend the old and new sections of the house. The addition of dormer windows and vaulted ceilings creates the illusion of more space and fosters an inviting atmosphere. Adapting to Growing Families As families grow, their needs evolve. Dormer houses provide a solution for growing families by offering additional bedrooms and living areas. This adaptability ensures that the extended bungalow remains a practical and cherished home for generations to come. We can strategically plan the layout to provide privacy and comfort, balancing communal and private spaces. Sustainable Design Choices In creating a modern-dormer house, there is the opportunity to incorporate sustainable design practises. By using energy-efficient materials and technologies, we can create eco-friendly extensions that blend seamlessly with the existing bungalow. Renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps, can be integrated into the roof design, contributing to reduced energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint. Embracing Contemporary Aesthetics While preserving the charm of the original bungalow, the extension can embrace contemporary aesthetics. Modern dormer houses can feature clean lines, minimalist facades, and a mix of materials like wood, stone, and metal. The incorporation of natural elements ensures that the extension blends harmoniously with the Irish landscape, creating a visually stunning architectural masterpiece. Conclusion Extending bungalows on tricky sites to create modern dormer houses opens up a world of possibilities for homeowners. By thoughtfully integrating dormer windows, maximising natural light, and embracing sustainable design practises, these extensions can become unique and practical living spaces that cater to evolving family needs. As the demand for more space and modern living solutions continues to grow, the transformation of traditional bungalows into contemporary dormer houses will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the architectural landscape of Ireland.