Exhibition on next generation architecture to transform University of Brighton to ‘gaming tourism’ destination

The two-week long exhibition titled 'Game on: Level-up. City for Gamers' is designed to showcase how AI tools could be used to create futuristic gaming environments, drawing on how they speed up the design process, allowing for quicker, data-driven decisions that provide gamers with a fresh, immersive experience.

The exhibition, which is open to all, will offer live demonstrations of cutting-edge fabrication technology – including 3D printing used to produce actual objects from digital designs – as well as displays of AI-tech assisted images which show how future design techniques may transform gaming spaces and environments, pushing the boundaries of design as we know it.

Dr Poorang Piroozfar

This is the second AI-tech exhibition curated by Dr Poorang Piroozfar of the University of Brighton School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, and Dr Eric Farr of Southern Illinois University, USA.

Dr Piroozfar, who is also the Director of the Digital Construction Lab said: “The feedback from last year’s exhibition highlighted the effectiveness of how using creative ways to explain complex ideas helps engage a wider, more diverse audience and amplifies voices that often go unheard. This feels especially meaningful when the topic is something as universal yet deeply personal as gaming.“

To refine our focus, we decided to dive into an area we feel connected to - and we believe many others do too: computer gaming. This became the heart of our exhibition this year. This project represents a lifelong dream that we have nurtured and refined for over 40 years. It is our contribution to building a world for dedicated and talented designers and gamers - a bold leap toward establishing a shared platform where they can collaborate and shape the future of gaming.”

A key theme is using AI to bring new design ideas to life, making possible visualisations that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. It showcases how real-world architecture can connect with virtual game environments, merging physical and digital spaces.

Dr Eric Farr, Professor of Architecture and Design at Southern Illinois University and founding principal at NONAMES Design Research Collaborative, who co-curated the exhibition, said: “This is an ambitious leap for the industry. By leveraging AI-powered design, we’ve surpassed our original ideas from the 1980s for developing a gaming city. And dedication and feedback from gamers who consulted with us in various capacities has been invaluable. This marks the beginning of what I call ‘Gaming Tourism’".

The free exhibition will be open at the Grand Parade building of University of Brighton City Campus from Friday 15 to Friday 29 November, from 9am-5pm weekdays and 10am-4pm Saturdays.

Attendees for the opening event and private viewing are invited to register.

Dr Eric Farr