Virtual Design Studio

The Istanbul Bilgi University Scientific Research Project, titled “Exploring the Possibilities of Using Game Engine-Based Collaborative Virtual Environments in Architectural Design Studios”, or “Virtual Design Studio” in short, is about testing a virtual environment for online and blended models of education in architectural design studios. The presentation tools used in the architectural studios are directly effective in determining the boundaries of design thinking. Today, there is no specialized tool for architectural design studios or a generally accepted pedagogical method in this field that can be used in online and blended education models. Therefore, the interaction possible in face-to-face education changes in distance education, and some generally accepted educational methods lose their validity. Virtual mimicking of face-to-face studio settings in online education brings many perceptual, intellectual and technical problems.

The current research in the literature enables real-time interaction in remote and collaborative works. The thesis study of Oğulcan Üneşi, in Istanbul Bilgi University Architectural History, Theory and Criticism master’s program, is about the potentials of current virtual environment technologies in architectural practice and education. In this project, we used Oğulcan Üneşi’s tool. We call the software Online Virtual Studio (OVS). It enables real-time multi-user interaction and collaborative work.

We aimed to test this virtual design studio software developed by Üneşi in architectural design studios. Therefore, we carried out the usage trials with voluntary student groups in limited and controlled environments. Thus, we needed virtual reality glasses and a server computer to provide the network connection. We believe that this project is a stepping stone for future studies and developments.

Oğulcan Üneşi is working on a better presentation of OVS.