A Game Engine Based Interactive and Collaborative Architectural Education Model Proposal

Abstract

Learning constitutes the act of inducing enduring behavioral changes. Although it can be dissected into three main categories—cognitive, affective, and psychomotor—research suggests that active student engagement leads to more effective education, regardless of the subject or field. From a contemporary standpoint, the concept of “technology in education” has gained prominence, influencing modern pedagogy across various domains. Applications that leverage technology to engage visual, auditory, and tactile senses have significantly supported experiential learning methods, sparking innovation in numerous scientific disciplines. Present-day students, immersed in the technology era, particularly through social media and gaming, are redefining the learner profile and shaping the technological dimension of education across all scientific domains. In the realm of architectural science, a fundamental principle is the comprehensive understanding, planning, and imparting of knowledge and skills related to 3D volumes, considering aesthetic considerations. Additionally, the cultivation of a critical thinking system for dissecting theoretical knowledge is a distinct goal. With technological advancements, architectural pedagogy, especially in the education of 3D thinking, design, and digital presentation, has undergone a paradigm shift. Within this conceptual framework, this study proposes an interactive and collaborative educational model, supported by the Unreal Engine (UE) game engine, for architectural pre-design processes. The study focuses on the pre-design phase and involves experiments with architecture and interior architecture students from various classes who possess experience with fundamental architectural design and modeling software. The study presents the efficiency and future prospects of the model by sharing software-based approaches using the UE game engine and the design outcomes achieved through its utilization.