A Method for Decoding and Representing Time in Fourdimensional Spaces via Digital Game Environment

Abstract

The search for novel representation method is one of the critical components of the creative design process. Discoveries in science, such as four-dimensional (4D) spacetime, influenced artists and architects. However, existing representation techniques constrained in two-dimensional (2D) sheets for 4D spacetime for representation is evaluated as a limitation of architecture discipline. Currently, digital game environments are the potential mediums of 4D architectural representation. This study aims to decode and represent time as an entity of 4D spaces. Digital game environment provides the needed flexibility for experimenting in 4D space. Therefore, unity game engine and C# programming are used together with computer aided design (CAD) tools to generate 4D representations. 4D representations are based on two different impressions of time dimension as (1) time dilation and (2) distortion of spacetime. While time dilation is represented via motion blur (mB) script, distortion of spacetime is represented via motion trail (mT) script. As preliminary results, metrics of the time dimension in 4D spatio-temporal representations are introduced. Experimental 4D representations produced via Unity game engine and C# programming are presented to discuss the potential of game environments to be the medium of architectural representation.