Unreal Engine 5 as an architectural tool to communicate heritage values

Abstract

This dissertation explores Unreal Engine 5, the game development software, as a tool to be used in architectural applications, more specifically, to use Unreal Engine 5 and other technologies associated with game design to communicate established values of specific heritage sites, or spaces and structures of historical and architectural value. This dissertation attempts to show how underutilised technologies can streamline certain processes in the architecture and conservation streams. The literature review discusses existing methods for communicating historical and architectural values of heritage sites. It looks at mixed-reality media and the utilisation of the game engine as architectural mediums. More precisely, it compares the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 and other game development software with other methods for communicating architecture to understand the theoretical potential of this mixed-media application. The research is developed in two stages. Firstly, an experiment consisting of presenting subjects with two distinct experiences, namely a video-game experience and a text-based experience, was conducted. By comparing results from a series of questionnaires, cognition and immersion levels were quantified and a relationship between the two was explored. Secondly, a feasibility study consisting of desktop research and interviews with professionals from the Faculty for the Built Environment and the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences were utilised to explore the tools available in Unreal Engine 5 and apply them to a workflow. This workflow translated the values of cultural and architectural heritage into a simulation within the game engine. The research is concluded with an exploration of combining game development software with existing architecture media, and with other tools, to create mixed-reality experiences and maximise the utility of the software. References are made to other contemporary software and devices that are seemingly underutilised and also have potential in communicating architecture. Questions are raised regarding the application of Unreal Engine 5 not just as a tool to communicate the value of heritage, but also as a tool to assist in design and in other sectors of architecture. The results from the desktop research revealed Unreal Engine 5’s capability to relay the values of heritage when used in tandem with the derived workflow. The workflow’s stages were designed to reflect the capabilities of the design team. That is, the earlier stages require less skill and knowledge of the tool, whereas one would need to be an expert to successfully follow through the final stages. Through the immersion experiment, it was concluded that there is no discernible correlation between immersion and cognition. The experiment also further confirmed the game engine’s ability to community heritage values. Finally, the results showed how the background of the individual did not determine the cognition during either experience.