Game Engines as a Performance-Aware Participatory and Interactive Design Platform: a Prototypical Workflow

This paper explores human-building interaction as an active factor in the early stages of the design process. Current design methods allow a range of highly sophisticated tools to measure and analyze quantitative design parameters such as structural, thermal, lighting performance and more. However, interpreting human preferences and occupant behaviour as metrics to inform early design stages remains largely unexplored. Game engines’ are examined for their capacity to steer the design process and embed performance data. Furthermore, the virtual environments they enable are investigated qualitatively and quantitatively as tools for engaging with user preferences. The resultant metrics are then exported into architectural design software to be used as tools by the designer. Finally, the present context in which game engines are applied in architectural design is examined. The paper proposes a framework that enables non-designers to participate in a data-driven, performance-aware participatory environment actively is created and ready for data collection. Components of the platform include direct and indirect user feedback that enable designers to understand user preferences and quantify its qualitative features. Finally, a case study is presented using the developed platform to design high-performance facade panels.