Studio led by Simon Husslein (Atelier Simon Husslein)

Assisted by David Viladomiu (Duals)

The Alchemy of Atmospheres explores the potential of immersive and engaging virtual architectures to enable new and meaningful forms of human interaction in digital environments. The studio's outcomes are published as virtual worlds on the social VR platform VRChat.

New patterns of interaction are emerging on contemporary social VR platforms, where the structure and design of the surrounding worlds play a significant role in influencing human behavior. New architectural concepts, layouts, and aesthetics of these worlds can enable meaningful social connections and initiate new rituals. The aim of this project is to propose new atmospheric qualities and create virtual spaces that encourage people to come together and build relationships.

To create engaging worlds, we analyze the characteristics that compose architectural atmospheres and how they evoke specific moods or feelings. We compare experiences in both physical and virtual environments to define what is relevant for the project. We also investigate the elements of togetherness and how the design of the environment can support feelings of unity, friendship, and understanding among people. The research also includes documentation of best practices in VR and immersive architecture, as well as interviews with world builders and VR creatives.