Combining BIM systems and video-games engines in educational ephemeral urban and architectural proposals

Abstract

This article centers on showing the results of the evaluation of an educational proposal focused on combining the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, with video game rendering engines such as Unreal in the scope of a second course subject of the degree in Architecture. The educational proposal is based on the PBL methodology (Project Based on Learning), based on an occupation proposal for the "Pati de les Dones" (Women’s Patio), belonging to the CCCB (Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona) for integration into the GamePlay exhibition. The Game4City project, in which the experience is framed, has an exhibition section where visitors can interact, play, and propose occupations based on the programmed interactive system. The innovation of the proposal has two clear components: opening the door to students to professional systems that allow interactions to be defined in 3D virtual environments as an alternative to classic space compression systems, such as models, and the understanding of informal feedback from end-users on the most attractive proposals, something that allows students to better understand the needs of users and take them into account in the design of their future projects, improving their transversal skills. The results obtained support the proposal, although they identify a need for more practice time with the system and the problem of equipment that the confinement of the 2020 pandemic has caused.