Metaverse Architecture and Design Awards 2023 unveils winners

The inaugural edition of the Metaverse Architecture and Design Awards has announced its full list of winners that includes accomplishments across various categories such as Built: Commercial, Built: Residential, Product, and Student. The Metaverse is a vast interconnected digital realm that merges virtual reality, augmented reality, and the internet into a seamless and immersive experience. It is a shared virtual space where individuals can interact, explore, and create in real-time, blurring the line between the physical and digital worlds, or the phygital world. With its potential to revolutionise communication, commerce, entertainment, and more, the Metaverse represents a new frontier in human interaction and expression.

The concept of the Metaverse is neither new nor is it novel. It does, however, offer plenty of new and novel design opportunities. This is especially true for architectural design in the Metaverse. Architecture in the Metaverse takes on a whole new dimension, transcending the limitations of physical space. In this multiverse, architects can design and construct awe-inspiring virtual structures that defy gravity, logic, and even one's imagination. They have the freedom to manipulate space, materials, and aesthetics without the constraints of physics, enabling breathtaking creations that challenge our traditional notions of form and function. This allows architects to explore the infinite possibilities of architectural design, pushing boundaries and redefining the relationship between space and the human experience.

Interior Design, in partnership with Digby, launched the industry's first Metaverse Architecture and Design Awards or MAD Awards. It celebrates excellence in virtual interior design and architectural creations within the Metaverse. Recognising the transformative impact of Web3, the awards celebrate individuals, projects, and brands shaping this new frontier. The ceremony occurred in the Spatial.io Metaverse, and awards were given in categories such as Workplace Extension and Built and Unbuilt projects.

The first of what would surely be many editions of the Awards, gathered an esteemed panel of jurors to select the winners for this ground-breaking event. Led by Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen, the jury included industry pioneers such as Yves Béhar and architect Hagy Belzberg, as well as professionals from various design related fields. “Design competitions have always helped propel innovation, and the virtual arena provides endless opportunity for compelling, creative, and brilliant concepts. I am honoured to participate and see all the exciting explorations,” shares Belzberg. The jury members brought a deep understanding of the Metaverse and Web3, and their expertise played a vital role in recognising the most innovative and creative projects.

The jury members were tasked with judging over 60 finalists in various categories. The categories include Built (Commercial, Residential), Unbuilt (Commercial, Residential), Product, Student, AI-Generated Design, Best Use of Augmented Reality, Best Use of Blockchain and Tokens, Digital Twinning, Immersive Digital Art, Manufacturer Branded Environments, Metaverse Destination, Out of This World, and Workplace Extension.

Under the broader idea of Innovation, AI-Generated Design was looking for Process-driven innovation where artificial intelligence is used to supplement the architect’s or designer’s craft to create bold new work. The winner for this category was 'Foresting Architecture' by 'Lab for Environmental Design Strategies’. The category of Best Use of Augmented Reality focussed on the use of augmented reality to provide users with an interactive experience, and the winner was Zero10 x Crosby Studios Pop-Up Store by Zero10.

The Best Use of Blockchain and Tokens category was looking for creative and innovative use of blockchain technology and/or blockchain-based tokens (NFTs) in the execution of an architecture or design-focused project or product. The winner here was Embrace Materiality by Nathan Anthony Furniture.

The Digital Twinning category looked for excellence in the creation and application of an identical digital twin to a physical space and saw Catharsis by Mamou-Mani Studio + LMNL Studio as the winner. The category of Immersive Digital Art focuses on work that leverages immersive digital landscapes in conjunction with existing photography or as a standalone to convey powerful architecture and design ideas. The winner for this category was Unfold the Universe by Metaxu Studio. Under Manufacturer Branded Environments the jury looked for work that leverages AR/VR to provide users with an experience specific to architecture and design manufacturers. R-House by Rollout emerged as the winner in this category. For the Metaverse Destination, the most ground-breaking architecture and design in an existing Metaverse was the point of focus and the Row Museum by Everyrealm emerged as the winner with The Meeting Place by Benny Or Studio as one of the finalists.

Imagining a far-reaching, imagined design, experience, or object not bound by real-world physics such as “Dreamscapes” and architecture that could not exist in the physical world. This concept defined the Out of This World category and Metacity Scalarized Town by XMArchitect emerged as the winner.

In the category of Workplace Extension, innovative examples of unique corporate workplace experiences created inside a Metaverse, or spatial web environment took centre stage and Decent Headquarters by Decent Architecture were declared the winners. Under the banner of Built projects, the Commercial category focussed on spaces used by customers/clients and employees, including workplace, retail design, healthcare, education, recreation, and public works. The winner for this category was Morfaverse / 2.0 by Morfa.

The Experiential category looked for a branded environment that told a story and engaged users through physical surroundings. LMNL Studio x Windy Chien Sculptures by LMNL Studio were the winners in this category. The Built Residential category looked at private living spaces, including single-family and multi-family homes and villa architecture, MetaEstates by @Luisfern5 Creative Design Agency emerged as the winners.

Categories under the unbuilt banner led to 3D projects or concepts that had been proposed but not yet implemented or realised. Under this, much like the built banner, the Commercial category focussed on spaces used by customers/clients and employees; including workplace, retail/showroom, healthcare, education, recreation, and public works. The winner of this category was Kripke Virtual Museum by Studio B Architects. Similarly, the winner for the unbuilt residential category was Cloud House by Wuhan DazhengJingchen Space Art Design Consulting Co.

Under the product design category, Fantastical Ads by Haworth emerged as winners while Brain Hole by Xiangpeng Lin, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts took home the prize in the student category.

The MAD Awards highlight the creativity and innovation of designers leveraging emerging technologies, providing a platform to showcase and celebrate their work outside the physical world. From immersive virtual spaces to mind-bending architectural concepts, the awards highlight the fusion of technology, artistry, and functionality, and show by example, the potential architecture of the Metaverse holds.