Multispace: Architecture at the Dawn of the Metaverse

Multispace is a hybrid space that combines physical and digital spaces, blurring the lines between them. It is a concern for architects because it offers a collective and personalized experience, is static and dynamically customizable, and is both public and private. Contributors include Aleksandra Belitskaja, Alice Bucknell, Jesse Damiani, Wendy Fok, Andrew Kovacs, Lara Lesmes, and Fredrik Hellberg, and featured architects and artists include iheartblob, Ibiye Campis, Office Kovacs, Space Popular, and Liam Young.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Multispace is a fascinating phenomenon that exists at the intersection of the physical and digital realms, blurring the once-clear dividing lines between them. It is not a single space but a hybrid environment where we simultaneously occupy multiple spaces. We enter this multispace through various means, such as participating in a Zoom call from our office, cycling down a country lane while competing against thousands of others on the Strava app, watching a TV show while live tweeting, or even wandering around a local park searching for creatures that only appear on a smartphone screen.

A central question posed by this AD is why the phenomena described by multispace are of concern to architects. The answer lies in the fact that multispace represents a fundamental architectural situation. It offers a collective and highly personalized experience, allowing for both static and dynamic customization, while simultaneously being both public and private. Multispace lies at the heart of a set of tensions, concerns, and preoccupations that are central to our understanding of architecture as both a theory and a practice.

This messy and ever-shifting space between different realms is what makes multispace so intriguing. It challenges our traditional notions of space and place, forcing us to reimagine how we interact with the built environment. Contributors to this AD include a diverse range of experts, from architects and artists to scholars and researchers. They offer their perspectives on multispace and its implications for architecture, exploring topics such as collective experience, personalization, customization, public-private dynamics, and the role of technology in shaping our spatial interactions.

Featured architects and artists in this AD include iheartblob, Ibiye Campis, Office Kovacs, Space Popular, and Liam Young. Their innovative designs and projects demonstrate how multispace can be incorporated into architectural spaces, creating dynamic and engaging environments that blur the boundaries between the physical and digital realms.

In conclusion, multispace is a transformative phenomenon that is reshaping our understanding of space and place. It challenges us to reimagine how we interact with the built environment and offers a glimpse into the future of architecture. By exploring the tensions, concerns, and preoccupations surrounding multispace, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role of architecture in shaping our lives and the world around us.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 277 x 208 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781394163540