Case Study: Expanding Architectural Horizons | How ETH Zurich Used anitya for Immersive Learning

Overview:

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Established in 1855, ETH Zurich is a leading university in science and technology, fostering independent thinking and innovation while addressing global challenges through research and education. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the university also emphasizes open dialogue between science, society, and industry, contributing to societal and economic development. 

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As part of a programme sought to extend the boundaries of its architectural program by integrating immersive digital environments into its curriculum, ETH Zurich partnered with anitya, aiming to introduce students to the possibilities of virtual spaces as an extension of architectural design. The objective was to equip students with the tools and skills to explore the intersection between physical architecture and its digital counterparts, as well as tackling usual challenges inherent to the architectural design process.

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Challenge:

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For architecture students at ETH Zurich, transitioning from physical structures to digital environments brought several challenges. Designing virtual spaces requires not only creativity but also technical skills in handling 3D models, narrative integration, and web-based optimization. One of the biggest hurdles was the long rendering times typically associated with complex 3D models, which can slow down the design process and make collaboration difficult—an issue familiar to professionals in architecture and real estate.

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The goal was to provide students with a seamless platform that would allow for fast prototyping, easy integration of 3D assets, and real-time collaboration—all while ensuring that the digital environments were lightweight and accessible via the web. On top of that,  the challenge lay in the fact that many students were unfamiliar with the required tools and processes for designing in a virtual context, including software like Blender, the use of external asset libraries such as Sketchfab, and the concepts of digital storytelling.

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Solution:

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anitya played a central role in addressing these challenges by guiding students through a structured learning process. Over the course of six months, the students participated in workshops that covered both the conceptual and technical aspects of immersive environments. The initial sessions provided training on 3D creation tools and asset management, while subsequent workshops focused on more complex ideas such as integrating narratives and interactive elements into virtual spaces.

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Through a series of workshops over six months, the students learned to use 3D creation tools like Blender, manage out-of-the-box assets from platforms such as Sketchfab, and optimize their environments for smooth web performance. The platform enabled real-time collaboration, allowing students to iterate on their designs quickly, with mentors providing continuous feedback throughout the project. This proved especially valuable in an educational setting, where iterative learning is critical.

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Besides the introduction to a new set of digital skills, anitya offered a lightweight, web-optimized platform that significantly reduced rendering times. By supporting .glb file uploads, anitya allowed students to easily manage and integrate 3D assets without the computational overhead typical of more complex software. This streamlined their workflow and freed them to focus on the creative aspects of their projects.

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Results:

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The collaboration between ETH Zurich and anitya resulted in five distinct virtual worlds, each created by a group of students. These projects represented the results of months of learning, experimentation, and creativity:

• Innovative Design Approaches: By exploring architecture in a virtual space, students were able to push the boundaries of traditional design thinking. The process encouraged them to consider new ways of creating environments that could function both physically and digitally.
• Skill Development: Students gained practical skills in 3D modeling, optimization for web platforms, and the use of interactive design elements—skills that are increasingly valuable in the modern architectural landscape.
• Overcoming Rendering Challenges: By leveraging anitya’s lightweight platform, students were able to sidestep the lengthy rendering times often associated with complex 3D models. This resulted in a faster design process, smoother prototyping, and more opportunities for creative exploration.
• Collaborative and Streamlined Workflow: The platform’s real-time collaborative features enabled students to work efficiently in groups, with easy sharing and feedback mechanisms. The ability to quickly upload and manage 3D assets meant that they could focus on the design itself, without being bogged down by technical limitations.
• Enhanced Presentation Formats: For their final thesis presentations, the students showcased their work within the digital environments they created, offering a novel and engaging way to present architectural concepts to faculty and peers.

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Conclusion:

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The project with ETH Zurich underscores the value of anitya as a tool for both educational and professional environments. By overcoming traditional challenges like long rendering times and heavy computational demands, anitya provided architecture students with the flexibility and speed they needed to bring their creative visions to life. This collaboration demonstrates how immersive digital platforms can play a central role in shaping the future of architectural education, offering students and professionals alike a faster, more efficient way to prototype, collaborate, and present their designs.