Labs
Immersive Design Lab
The Immersive Design Lab (IDL) is an interdisciplinary laboratory at ETH Zurich for future design, architecture and engineering. The IDL creates an unprecedented platform for collaborative research and teaching in the rapidly evolving field of interactive extended reality (XR) and machine learning (ML) in architecture and construction. It enables the synaesthetic interaction of users in real time with i) virtual design and engineering models (XR) and ii) human-computer design and fabrication interfaces using state-of-the-art technologies. Leveraging recent advances in both real-time image and sound rendering, the IDL fuses visualisation with 3D spatial auralisation.
Lab Design
At the core of the IDL there is a 32m2 circular arena that is intended as an experiment and presentation area for up to 20 people. The arena is surrounded by an elliptical array of 14 vertical columns serving as modular technical hubs and to which is possible to plug in a variety of sensors for data collection.
Thanks to a total of 75 speakers that are integrated at different elevations in the columns and in a special ceiling rack, the IDL offers one of the best immersive spatial audio experiences yet. Special attention was paid to the use of acoustically performative surfaces and materials, including sound-absorbing curtains and boards as well as diffusive panels, which were designed and developed by Gramazio Kohler Research especially for this purpose (see Acoustic Diffuser Panels).
The IDL was conceived as an open and flexible space, where users can freely circulate and set it up as needed. The considerable glass front allows natural lightning in, but through a system of curtains, projections screens and moving soundproof cases, the lab can be adjusted to every need. The arena is primarily used in an interactive mode where users stand or move, nonetheless researchers and staff can find additional seating furniture and workbenches to prepare experiments and contents along its perimeter. Overall, the IDL’s minimalist design caters to a wide range of use cases such as research experiments, teaching seminars, representative science presentations or workshops with key external stakeholders from industry or politics.
Building Project Team
The following contributors and experts helped to successfully realise the IDL
ETH Team
Prof Matthias Kohler (Head of IDL), Christoph Junk (Lead Building Project), Dr. Romana Rust (Senior assistant IDL team), Michael Lyrenmann (Technology Expert Hardware), Foteini Salveridou (XR Workflow Evaluation), Gonzalo Casas (Technology Expert Software), Achilleas Xydis (Technology Expert Audio), Valens Frangez (Technology Expert Video), Catharina Weiss (Project Manager ETH Real Estate Management), Beat Jaeggli (Architect and Construction Supervision ETH Real Estate Management)
External Experts
Jürgen Strauss (Strauss Elektroakustik GmbH), Christian Frick and Nino Blumer (Rocket Science AG), Martin Fröhlich (ZHdK), Mehmet Özalp (CH-Ingenieure GmbH), Robin Klöden (Thomas Boyle & Partner AG)
Contractors
Aectual, Arcad Audio, Candy Acoustics GmbH, Lang & Baranday AG, lumachroma, opentec GmbH
The Immersive Design Lab provides the necessary infrastructure for the following exemplary research and teaching use-cases:
- Walk through a building project together with your collaborators in virtual reality
- Visualize complex data and simulations for enhancing intuition and decision-making
- Create immersive spacial impressions through ambisonics
- Intuitively interact with your computational design model by using, for example, gestures and voice commands
- Tele-operate on a remote construction site
- Human-robot collaborative scenarios in augmented or virtual reality for enriching digital workflows with human cognitive capabilities
- Human in the loop interfaces for machine learning systems
Gramazio Kohler Research, the Chair of Architecture and Digital Fabrication at ETH Zurich initiated and implemented the IDL, in collaboration with experts from the fields of extended reality and acoustics. The lab is located in the Hoenggerberg Campus of ETH Zurich, in the HIT F22. The IDL will be fully operational from May 2021. Its use is mainly intended for Design++ researchers and educators from the affiliated chairs, as well as ETH internal users and industry partners. External users are allowed upon request.
Large-scale Virtualization and Modelling Lab
The Large-scale Virtualization and Modelling Lab (LVML) comprises the ‘Computer Room’ with 17 powerful workstations and flexible presentation options, and the ‘AudioVisual Room’ equipped with 6 mid-range workstations, 1 high-end workstation, and a 360-loudspeaker array for real-time 3D audio rendering. It also boasts four micro-perforated screens for visual content and specialized devices for fieldwork, like the RIEGL VZ-1000 laser scanner and Sennheiser Ambeo VR mic. Additionally, the Mobile Visual Acoustic Lab (MVAL) allows audio- visual simulations at quiet locations, featuring an aluminum construction (5m x 5m x 2.5m) with sound-absorbing curtains.
LVML Computer Room (HIL H40.8)
Analytical and prospective studies are guided by modeling survey data using digital methods such as photogrammetry, geographic information systems and point cloud modeling. Open-source software, software development and testing are actively fostered.
LVML Audiovisual Room (HIL H40.5)
Digital models are represented through immersive exploration by visualizing and aurealising existing and imaginary environments using virtual reality. The virtualization holds the potential to enhance our perception and interaction with physical spaces, thereby contributing to improved design, functionality, and co-creation.