Meta Verse

Hisham Al-Qasim

Imagine the daily life of an architect today: there’s a request for a new project, a blank canvas filled with endless possibilities, and the creative excitement is about to begin. The main constraints have been identified: brief, analysis of the topography and surrounding areas, solar orientation, and prevailing winds. The first drawings are created, and they are always integrated with structural knowledge—even if basic, it fundamentally defines the lives of those living under the acceleration of gravity at 9.807 m/s².

But what if only the summary remained among these basic introductions?

Those who venture into the structure metaverse, have, of course, already asked themselves this question: a playful environment where all dreams are possible, where there are no limits to architecture, where the dynamics of light and shadow no longer exist—only an infinite, open space.

The metaverse appears to break the boundaries of architecture in a faster and more practical way, eliminating the need for cranes and years of calculation and construction.  In this process, engineering no longer seems necessary, opening up the possibility of transforming the Arab desert city into unimaginable structures—and here, the notion that a successful engineer must possess specific structural knowledge collapses.

In this sense, with the sudden separation that will occur between architecture and its structural concerns, will there still be a place for engineering in the metaverse?

Although a negative answer seems obvious, it is still too early to say. However, what can be observed is that large engineering firms are focusing on the concepts of ”digital twins” and the “reverse metaverse” as avenues to explore in this new phase.

Finally, it can be said that in the uncertain future of technology, the way our professions will adapt is the subject of much speculation, yet, regardless of discipline, one thing is certain: they will all need to adapt and reinvent themselves to keep pace with new habits and upcoming innovations.

*Architect and faculty member at King Saud University

@ArchHesham