from PLP to killa design, here are the virtual pavilions of the first metaverse architecture biennale

converging architecture, design, and technology

The inaugural edition of the Metaverse Architecture Biennale is set to bring together creators from across the globe to delve into the transformative power of architecture and design in shaping the future of the virtual realm. In the burgeoning world of technology where advancements in the metaverse have begun reshaping the human experience, many traditional artists and designers have taken to web3 to explore new bounds of creative expressions and business development.

Hosted in Decentraland and W3rlds, the Biennale’s public program taking place from 21-24 September 2023 will convene a prolific line up of global architects and metaverse creators who will discuss and showcase a display of digital pavilions creating a vast, virtual, expo-like space. Until the exhibition’s culmination on 6 October, Zaha Hadid Architects, Killa Design, PLP Architecture, Spaces DAO, iheartblob, and many more will explore the theme, Presence of the Future, alongside cultural and technological trends for development.

Cyber Sanctum | The Digital Ashram of Transcendence – Untitled by Maria Touloupou

metaverse architecture biennale: a virtual expo

The Metaverse Architecture Biennale’s opening three-day public program will uncover themes of futurism, intersections of design and technology, and immersive virtual spaces across its pavilions, panels, discussions, and live entertainment events. Renowned architects such as Soomeen Hahm, Filippo Lodi, Christian Tschersich, and Matthias Hollwich will discuss their mark on web3 culture, emphasizing the pivotal role architects will continue to play in shaping virtual landscapes, while industry figures including Regina Turbina and Nataliya Grimberg will share expertise on the rise of digital fashion across metaverse platforms. The panel discussion, Business of Web3 and Metaverse: Trends, Expectations, and Real Cases, will dive into the latest developments while presenting real-world case studies that showcase the potential benefits of web3 applications for brands.

Morpho Genesis | A Metamorphic Reverie byDariana Andrei

proscenium pavilion by iheartblob

The Proscenium Pavilion by iheartblob reimagines spatial design through the lens of generative AI, challenging conventional perceptions of reality and the translation of 2D imagery into immersive 3D spaces. This exhibition in Decentraland embodies the intricate relationship between architectural design and the transformative potential of AI, its narrative revolving around the concept of convergence, symbolizing the bridge between the digital and physical realms. Within its abstract form unfolds a central grand staircase that invites visitors on a journey through both physical and digital dimensions, crowned with the architects’ office that represents an interplay between man and machine.

Proscenium by iheartblob

Symbiocene Living by PLP Architecture

Symbiocene Living: A Sumbiotecture Showcase by PLP Architecture introduces a distinct architectural concept aligned with the ideals of the Symbiocene, an epoch characterized by ecological collaboration rather than exploitation. Inspired by environmental philosopher Glenn A. Albrecht’s vision, the pavilion envisions a future where humanity embraces a symbiotic relationship with the natural world, reshaping architecture accordingly. This ‘sumbiotecture’ prioritizes collaboration over command in design, marking the early stages of a design language aimed at communicating, cohabitating, and collaborating with nature.

Visitors embark on a digital journey through the ‘mush-portal’ in Decentraland, symbolizing the transition from the Anthropocene to the Symbiocene, where architecture thrives on reintegration with nature. In W3rlds, the exploration continues, offering a playful and educational experience that reimagines flora and biophilia as essential infrastructure, creating a meeting point for design and nature beyond the constraints of the Anthropocene.

Symbiocene Living by PLP Architecture

meta mansions by various meta architects

Embracing web3 and the decentralized blockchain network of the Metaverse to redefine luxury in virtual architecture, a group of meta architects present Meta Mansion. Muhammed Shawkat, Akshaya Rupasri, Guillermo Rage, and Reem Bamanie set forth an exploration of the intersection between the decentralized blockchain network of the metaverse and the world of fashion. In Decentraland, visitors are welcomed into the Eleganza Hub, where they embark on a dynamic and immersive journey. The W3rlds exposition showcases a fusion of architecture, fashion, and nature, illustrating the evolution of fashion design’s impact on our lives. The project’s design emphasizes fluidity and integration with the natural environment, making it an iconic presence on a cliffside.

Labyrinthine Ascent by Shashwat Prakhar

Shashwat Prakhar’s Labyrinthine Ascent presents a captivating narrative of architectural evolution within the metaverse. In Decentraland, this initial chapter showcases an intricate fusion of design and symbolism, with intertwining ramps leading visitors to a central structure, symbolizing progress and potential. The project seamlessly transitions to W3rlds with Temporal Confluence, celebrating the convergence of diverse experiences through well-organized branching fibers, creating a vibrant pavilion that embodies unity within diversity. Visitors navigate a network of pathways, each representing a unique perspective, while dynamic light and shadow patterns emphasize the ever-changing nature of the future. Temporal Confluence emblemizes collective experiences, fueling innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the metaverse. 

Labyrinthine Ascent by Shashwat Prakhar

lingoverse by nesa

NESA’s LingoVerse offers visitors a self-reflective experience within a surreal architectural context which fosters a dialogue between architecture, narration, and the space’s readers. The design allows avatars to traverse between different stages and interact with words, offering a dynamic journey of ascension and connection. The central architectural composition features an open shell showcasing words while harmonizing with the environment. In Decentraland, the pavilion exhibits words from two distinct alphabets and realms, enveloped within a shell that immerses visitors in an unlimited world. In W3rlds, LingoVerse serves as a language learning game and a space for showcasing words, guiding visitors through a maze where they select the right words to construct a final poetic text from Persian literature. 

LingoVerse by NESA

beyond the echoes by spaces dao

Striving to strike a balance between futuristic innovation and a grounded connection to our physical world, Spaces DAO’s Beyond the Echoes delves into the intersection of art and architecture within virtual design. The pavilion poses thought-provoking questions about the nature of metaverse architecture, challenging whether architecture in the metaverse can be defined as such if it caters to avatars rather than humans and lacks traditional structural elements. The project underscores the functionality and purpose of metaverse architecture, emphasizing that virtual spaces are crafted with specific intentions, whether for relaxation, education, museums, or performance venues. Inspired by artists like Kandinsky and Bosch, Spaces DAO’s design draws from their unique approaches to space, prompting us to ponder the possibility of inhabiting art in the metaverse.

designboom’s pavilion at the first Metaverse Architecture Biennale

EPHYRA by Q63

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(Un)limited Boundaries by ATRIUM

Absence and Presence | Luminal Conflux by OBMI

A Meta Odyssey by SoomeenHahm Design & Studio Igor Pantic

Mariana Cabugueira by Your Digital-Footprint

METAVOXEL PAVILION by AXI

Mindscape Travelers by DA!

Beyond the Echoes by SpacesDAO

Epsilon 13_Ralm Equipoise by Akash Deep Ravichandran

EXPERIMENTA by EXPERIMENTAQ

Fragile Pavilion by SA lab

Hall of Eclipse by Space Lane

Hidden Loop by MFSG6

Presence of the Future Seasons by The Ninjas

Probability Prediction Center by OSTASHOVA_Architects

SVET | PROm7 by LABVA PRO

SWIRLSCAPE by ILLUSORR

Tesseract by NTAR

Villete-verse, the pavilion of many pavilions by UIC Barcelona

project info:

event: Metaverse Architecture Biennale

location: Decentraland and W3rlds

public program: 21-24 September, 2023

exhibition: 21 September – 6 October, 2023

organizers: W3rlds, Dearch Space, Metancy, Web3 Digital Marketing