MANIFEST

Outdated tools in the architectural design process are increasingly insufficient to meet the growing complexity of current design challenges.
The escalating volume of data required for architectural designs significantly challenges traditional workflows, which lack intuitive and efficient
design capabilities. In our course, we focus on cutting-edge tools and workflows for immersive architectural design. These include virtual
reality sketching, collaborative design in VR, and advanced machine learning 3D scanning methods like NERF, all set in XR
and AR environments. Alongside our students, we will explore contemporary, creative tools tailored for a data-driven digital society.

THEME: VIRTUAL REUSE

While climate change and resource scarcity dominate discussions worldwide, architects must process increasing amounts of data to meet the new constraints of sustainable design, such as energy efficiency, material reuse, and reduced carbon footprints. Digital transformation becomes essential in adapting our design workflows, enabling more precise data visualization, real-time simulations, and enhanced collaborative tools. Sustainability now includes circular economy concepts and the reuse of building elements at almost all possible levels. This approach extends to the digital realm of buildings, where physical objects can be revitalized digitally as virtual assets. Can these unused digital assets be repurposed to create new spaces? How do we approach the reuse of digital resources in the post-digital era, where the integration of physical and digital design elements becomes increasingly seamless?

STRUCTURE

The course is divided into several workshops, each focusing on a different design and presentation technique.
As extended reality and immersive design solutions may become the next dominant tools for design and evaluation, we aim to explore more
intuitive and immersive techniques in architectural design presentation. Such an approach could contribute greatly to the democratization of
collaborative, decentralized, and socially inclusive design workflows. This would enable greater control over architectural and urban
investments and foster higher involvement of the broader society in design processes.
We will experiment with 3D scanning and digital design tools, leveraging machine learning and extended reality to test interoperable,
immersive, and interactive hybrid design workflows.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course has an open-ended structure based on research, exchange with industry specialists, and practical workshops.
The „360 – Reality to Virtuality“ course is interconnected with “3D Scanning and Freeform Modeling”.
Students must register for both courses: „360 – Reality to Virtuality“ and „3D-Modeling“ (2x 2 ETCS).
Classroom teaching as 4h block + self-teaching and research at home.
Max. number of participants 15 students.

REGISTRATION

As the course has a limited number of students, please write a short email with information about yourself to the research assistant Adam Kiryk at
kiryk@arch.ethz.ch

ETH Course Catalogue: click here