The thing about Real-life architecture is that you’re always trying to express your ideas visually to a client. The most modern method of approaching this is using 3D models and creating mock ups of the design using software such as Cinema 4D, 3DS Max, Rhino, Maya.. the list goes on..

So what about using a virtual worlds? Certainly, some architectural practices are starting to cotton on and realise the power of a virtual world. The drawback on a standard 3D model is that you can’t interact with it very well. You’re essential navigating in first person mode, and it doesn’t give you a great “feel” about a structure.

Enter the metaverse.

Now, Second Life has its flaws. For a start, its graphics engine isn’t as high quality as the architecture industry is used to. When you build in SL, there’s little in the way of rendering for lighting and shadings. So you have to do it all yourself manually in Photoshop.. and that will take a while!

But you can create an avatar for the client, and they can remotely walk around the building, move furniture around and interact with various aspects of the building, and then offer you feedback and make changes accordingly. All this, and you’ve not even ordered the materials yet!

Second Life would benefit from a more powerful lighting and rendering focus.. yes: even more powerful than Windlight, as stunning as that is.

Y’see.. when it comes down to it, Second Life is all about aesthetics. New users won’t spend long in a virtual world which doesn’t look very aesthetically pleasing. Although there are some real architectural gems out there, there is also a lot more.. well, anarchic building going on.

There’s only a handful of people in Second Life who can build and texture using perfect shading to make a build seem real. Their skills are much in demand, but it is very much a platform where anyone can, and anyone will build. This is a great concept, but Linden Labs really need to work out a method for raising the bar on build aesthetics, or it’s going to be looking “noobish”. And nobody is going to be attracted to that when other metaverses arise.