zaha hadid architects presents real-time modeling VR experiment

zaha hadid architects‘ work is on display for the first time in latin america in design as second nature, an exhibition that explores the studio’s methodology and creative process while showcasing its 40 years of experimentation into new design and construction techniques. part of the exhibition is also the work of zaha hadid virtual reality group (ZHVR) with project correl, a collaborative experiment in multi-presence virtual reality (VR) illustrating the development of complex assemblies inside virtual space.

all images courtesy of zaha hadid virtual reality group (ZHVR)

the exhibition at MUAC, mexico city showcases the work of zaha hadid architects (ZHA) and zaha hadid design (ZHD), as well as the work of the most recently founded zaha hadid virtual reality group (ZHVR). founded in 2014, ZHVR is working to shape immersive VR technology for architectural design, including real-time modelling and visualization tools. focused on the production of VR as a design tool, the group researches the potential of specific technologies that can enhance the architectural design process.

individually placed components will soon disappear from the VR space unless connected with others

the group’s project correl offers a shared, digital extension to our physical reality that proposes a dynamic new relationship between human creators and machine logic, demonstrating the possibilities of emerging immersive technology in architecture. the project invites visitors to the exhibition to collaborate in real-time, experiencing scale and digitally augmented design to collectively build a virtual structure that will grow over the coming months. progressive iterations of this digital structure will be captured and exhibited in the gallery as scaled 3D-printed models.

the more components connected together within any cluster, the longer it will exist in the VR space

visitors will be immersed in the virtual environment with up to three others at the same time, moving freely in digital space to select, scale and place components according to their preference and a dynamic set of rules assigned to act depending on the chosen scale of the component. ‘this is possible thanks to unreal studio, the free real-time technology that helps architects visualize our most creative ideas,’ explains helmut kinzler, head of ZHVR. while the virtual construction components and the guiding principles informing the placement algorithms have been designed by zaha hadid architects, the scale of the components and their position of placement is entirely up to the visitor.

design as second nature is on until 3 march 2019 at MUAC, mexico city.

every cluster or component connected directly to the primary structure will remain as a permanent element the emerging structure created from the accumulated placement of components acts as a collective memory the structure is defined by principles that echo systems of growth evident in the natural world