Implications for the metaverse and architecture

In parallel with advances in artificial intelligence, interest in the concept of the metaverse and the platforms bearing its name has been increasing. First introduced in Neil Stephenson's 1992 novel Snow Crash, the metaverse meaning "beyond the universe" enables users to interact in immersive digital environments. These three-dimensional virtual platforms, enriched by user-generated content, bridge the physical and virtual worlds. Having begun to influence fields such as architecture, design, and art, the metaverse transforms user experience by removing spatial and temporal constraints. Its position within architecture remains unclear, with relatively few academic studies conducted in this field, suggesting its growing future significance and potential impact on the profession. Ongoing debates about architects' roles in the metaverse include proposals that "software architects" will dominate, yet such designers often overlook physical and ergonomic human needs. This study therefore examines the place of the metaverse in architecture from academic, practical, and educational perspectives, while questioning architects' roles and providing them with a guide for its use.