Architecture is subjected to a change in practice, as a profession, and may be in academic years as well. Virtual certifications based on Blockchain technology (NFTs) and virtual worlds and buildings (Metaverse) have a direct impact on architecture. Metaverse architecture is defined by creating virtual spaces to experience within the digital world. Architecture and metaverse together can create an emerging digital universe wherein people experience a parallel life to their real-world existence.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) may leave a mark on the AEC industry as well. Architects can develop architectural designs that are feasible for both the physical and virtual worlds. These NFTs enable the creator to sell and buy anything they create. Any piece of art, video, image, or design can become NFT. One can purchase or sell it at the price fixed by the owner. The scope of design in the Metaverse and the chance of commercialising it and selling it through NFTs created a strong link between architecture, the Virtual world, and NFTs.
Let’s dive deep into the virtual world and related terminology: NFTs, Blocks, and Blockchain technology.
What are NFTs?
NFTs are unique, and Non-Fungible Tokens cannot be swapped like Bitcoin. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are irreplaceable, and these assets are based on Blockchain technology. They are much like Picasso’s masterpieces, which are unique in their kind; if you own one, no one else can have a similar one. They are a new way of defining ownership of a digital asset: you become the owner by having an authentic copy of that unique digital asset.
NFTs are the latest technology developed out of the ECR-721 standard, and as they are unique, they allow digital artists to create authentic NFT-based artwork that they can sell across the internet. Architectural NFT develops unique design concepts and construction methodologies.
Blockchain technology uses them with minimal interface and details, while at the same time facilitating the exchange among the users on the Blockchain. It is not possible to edit these blocks or the data holders, as each block is attached to the previous one, and hence they form a chain of blocks that are distributed across the network around the world.
Blockchains can store financial transactions, like cryptocurrencies. The unbuilt speculative artwork by architects is consumed not only as art, but also in the digital world. NFT blockchain in architecture is changing the face of architecture.
Blockchain Technology
The technology of Blockchain was presented in 1991 by researchers, and the initial intent was to timestamp the digital documents to prevent any forging. However, the technology was unused until 2009. It is currently used to create the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
A Blockchain is a ledger that is open to anyone, but once the data is recorded inside, it becomes difficult to change it. Each block has its own “hash” (a unique serial number) and a hash of the previous block; hence, every next block forms a chain with the already existing block. Every blockchain has a different type of data stored in it; for example, it may have transaction details, sender-receiver numbers, bitcoin blockchains, or anything else.
Blockchain is a technology adopted because of its wide range of benefits.
Some of these benefits are:
- As there is no central authority or regulating body to maintain and oversee the process, it is a great and ideal opportunity for new business ventures.
- It requires a digital signature and a verification process to prevent fraud.
- The information and data are not centralised, which prevents them from mixing or getting lost.
Metaverse or Virtual World
In today’s world, everyone is talking about the metaverse. Let’s find out why it is the talk of the town.
Human beings are meant to connect and socialise, and the 21st century has come up with a new way of exchanging ideas and greeting each other. The emergence of virtual space allows us to connect with anyone, anywhere.
The word Metaverse got popularised in 1992 through a novel by Neal Stephenson, it is referred to as the world of virtual reality coverage. In this virtual world, people can hang out with known people and friends, work, exchange goods and services, attend events, and visit places just by being online. It is dubbed the next evolution of the internet.
People can buy, sell, and trade NFT cryptocurrencies under the same Blockchain Technology. Here, NFTs can be anything like an image, video, or token; they are used as an intangible digital asset. There are a lot of endorsements and a great boom happening around the world in the Metaverse, NFTs, and Blockchain technology as well.
Architecture in the Metaverse
Architecture is transforming due to the metaverse, not only in terms of design but also in scope of work.
In the Metaverse, users need virtual places like casinos, buildings, cars, games, and other Infrastructure to give them a realistic experience. Building in the Metaverse becomes a task for the architects, who are converting the designs of spaces in the metaverse into NFTs. This way, space and designs are treated as assets. For example, the Decentral land houses several parcels of digital land, which cost millions of dollars.
Building a digital world for the metaverse is now open to anyone with the necessary skills, but architects, well versed in humans’ needs and desires, can take these virtual worlds beyond their virtual limits.
How the Metaverse and NFTs can Impact Architecture
NFT buildings are unique buildings made and sold by investors using NFT for Architecture. Let’s look at how the metaverse and NFTs impact architecture:
01. Impact on Practice and Profession
NFT has made a provision for creators to buy and sell digital properties in dedicated marketplaces with the help of Block Chain Technology. Hence, it gives a boom to the design and future digitization and commercialization of virtual properties and architecture.
NFTs verify and validate the original architect’s work and facilitate the sale for a justified amount. This requires the original digital copy of the art, as there will be only one original; it is like the Monalisa. There are several images and graphics available on the internet, but the original painting is unique and still has value. Similarly, the design will be one, but it may be sold as NFT. It can either be a 3D virtual gaming environment or a 3D model of any furniture piece. NFTs given as rewards in games can be converted into money in the marketplaces.
02. Impact on Academics
There is no doubt that all of us are curious about the topic and the upcoming future of the architectural world. Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Facebook will be a Metaverse company in 2021. The Metaverse may penetrate the field of architecture and design soon. Designing the virtual world, which incorporates virtual reality and 3D holographic avatars requires designs, and it is like a digital version of the real world. The technology enables people to have their own replica in virtual reality, and they can simultaneously live in this virtual world with the help of their replica avatars.
Architects are the ones who shape and design the real world, and hence they must visualize and create the virtual world as well. And the upcoming future reflects the undeniable virtual world. Academics in architecture will require the digitised design of this virtual World.
Anyone with the necessary skills can make their mark in the field. A few firms like Voxel Architects, Metaverse Architects, and Decentraland Architects have developed some animated buildings for metaverse spaces, for example Cryptovoxel, Sonmium, and Metalympics by Voxel Architects.
A few others, like Artist Andres Reisinger closed the deal for his virtual furniture at around $70,000, and an Instagram rendering of a realistic landscape by Alexis Christodoulou was sold for around $340,000.
Obstacles of the Field
NFTs are a topic of discussion nowadays. Some say that they are the future but some believe that it is a dream bubble that will burst soon. The lack of regulatory bodies, rules, and regulations on prices and the current uncertainty in the sector may raise some problems in the future.
Some other problems, like ownership, may also arise because on some projects there is no single owner. Several companies are involved in a single design or the design of a building in the architectural sector, so this may lead to a conflict of interest.
The concept of the Metaverse comes into existence with a boom; people from every sector will try to bang in, and this may affect architecture as a profession because Metaverse doesn’t need any degree or specific qualification.
What’s Next?
Despite all the perks NFTs give to the world of design and architecture, there is still a lot to research and validate. The concept of NFT may have a lot of potential, but it is subject to change because of several factors related to the metaverse and the unavailability of regulatory bodies.
It is too early to come to a decision or any conclusion on such uncertain topics and situations in the field. Since there is no regulatory body involved and there is no bar on pricing, the whole field and virtual world are dynamic and may revolve in any direction at any time.
FAQs
01. What are NFTs?
NFTs stand for Non-fungible Tokens. These are digital assets that provide ownership to a unique item that can be physical or digital, such as a piece of art, real estate, music, or videos. You can use them to buy any digital art created by digital designers.
02. What are NFTs used for?
These are unique cryptographic tokens. They cannot be copied or replicated. These are the tokens that exist on the Blockchain, and they can represent any real-world tangible item like artwork, real estate, a piece of music, or any sort of valuable item. This is simply tokenizing any asset or real-world item to make its trading easy and prevent fraud.
03. Can Architects use NFTs?
NFTs may or may not be designed by architects. But yes, they can turn their physical works, like drawings or any art, into NFTs and sell them online. NFTs can be made from any piece of art, music, videos, or even tweets and memes.
04. What is Metaverse?
Metaverse is a term that refers to a blend of virtual and mixed-reality worlds. It is a hypothetical illustration of virtual space, which allows you to socialise, play, and do several other day-to-day activities in real time, even from a distance. You can access the virtual world through a browser or headset.
05. How to Design in the Metaverse?
Designing in the metaverse is entirely different from creating something in the real world. You need to create avatars to be a part of your metaphors, and while designing, you need to focus on accessibility contents, and other privacy protections, etc.
06. What is the Link between Architecture, NFTs, and Metaverse?
The metaverse is a 21st-century virtual world where people connect online and can meet, interact, discuss, organise training sessions, work, and whatnot. This virtually real world has every space for social gatherings like casinos, buildings, complexes, etc and all of these are designed as real buildings; hence, architects are involved. Architects all around the world are connecting with this concept and creating exciting stuff. Also, they can sell their designs and work as NFTs.
Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.
