The Metaverse is an emerging digital universe that’s full of possibilities for architecture and interior design, as we build a new virtual world and explore the commercial possibilities of NFT and blockchain.
On the panel
Taking part were 4Space co-founder and design director Firas Alsahin; Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director of Roar, and Musfir Khawaja, the co-founder of nftOne and Mohammed Adib, Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects + Engineers.
Crypto expert Musfir is behind the DIFC-headquartered regional marketplace for buying and selling regionally relevant art and rare collectables in the form of NFTs.
Offering a designer’s perspective were creatives Pallavi and Firas Alsahin, along with Mohammed, who is helping to spearhead his firm’s journey into the Metaverse.
Pallavi’s Roar took its first steps into Metaverse with the purchase of two plots in Decentraland, a 3D world where users use cryptocurrency MANA to purchase virtual land.
The Dubai-based studio plans to develop the 18,600 MANA (US$ 36,000) virtual plots into a multi-functional space, which will include an art gallery selling NFTs, a furniture showroom and store as well as a creative and business event space that will feature an experimental hotel of the future.
Dewan Architects + Engineers is also heavily involved in expanding its Metaverse presence by first creating NFT – Babel 2.0 and later on establishing Dubai’s first dedicated thought space and Metaverse design research lab for global architects, designers, and project managers. The think-tank named Metaverse Architecture Department (MAD) is a place where team members and external partners can share information and harness knowledge. Mohammed, along with Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects, are leading a committee of Dewan specialists and external advisors working on the project.
Meanwhile, Firas has introduced a dedicated wing – Meta4space – to his company. He believes that designers will also have the opportunity to bridge the real world with digital ownership of real-world assets. This can be achieved by selling NFT furniture with every 3D printed piece that you sell in the real world.
Evolution and adaptation
As pioneers for a new digital world, the designers on the panel had learning points to share with the audience of their peers.
Pallavi’s message was, “just do it!” This came regardless of Roar designing a range of nostalgic NFT that are still to take off. “The point is, it is experimentation. I’m going to be left behind,” said the designer. “It is played for me and the studio. It’s a new world that we want to be part of.”
Firas described how the 4Space range of digital furniture bridges the real world with a physical chair designed for the innovative F&B project Space Cup in Downtown Dubai that inspired a NFT virtual furniture collection.
Speaking about his company’s multi-floored office in the Metaverse, which can host meetings and other events, Mohammed said: “We don’t know why we’re there yet, but we’re there,” adding that the Metaverse architecture is “the logical next step for Dewan.” With a career spanning three decades, Mohammed was able to describe NFTs as an ‘evolution’ of architectural practice when once projects would include covers akin to artworks.
In March 2022, Dubai approved a law regulating digital assets and established a legal framework to protect investors.
Combing enthusiastic and informed professionals with the resolute backing of the country’s government, entrepreneur Musfir is confident that the UAE will lead the way in building the Metaverse.
He said: “The Metaverse is about digital-human interaction in a 3D environment. We have been witnessing children actively participate and transact in 3D Metaverse games for quite a while now (such as Fortnite, Roblox and others). It is only a matter of time until people start conducting a part of their daily lives inside the Metaverse. NFTs are digital assets that play an important part in the creation and functionality of the Metaverse. Virtual land is the foundation of the Metaverse and when purpose-built 3D spaces are created on virtual land, other digital assets can be brought inside to enrich the experience.
“Dubai is truly a city of the future and with the new virtual asset laws being introduced, the design community will be proactively working to create these 3D spaces. For example, the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE already has showcased a use-case of the Metaverse where visitors to their website could schedule appointments with a physician and even have a consultation.”