Do you want to experience Nairobi without even being there? You want to have a look at the other, mysterious side of Dakar while sitting in Addis? Do you want to find out how it feels entering a world where you are the unwelcomed outsider? Or do you want to walk around at an art festival in Accra?

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated scenario that simulates a realistic experience. The immersive environment can be similar to the real world in order to create a lifelike experience grounded in reality or sci-fi. Augmented reality systems may also be considered a form of VR that layers virtual information over a live camera feed into a headset, or through a smartphone or tablet device.

Current VR technology most commonly uses virtual reality headsets or multi-projected environments, sometimes in combination with physical environments or props, to generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that simulate a user's physical presence in a virtual or imaginary environment. A person using virtual reality equipment is able to "look around" the artificial world, move around in it, and interact with virtual features or items. The effect is commonly created by VR headsets consisting of a head-mounted display with a small screen in front of the eyes, but can also be created through specially designed rooms with multiple large screens. (Wikipedia)

New Dimensions shows a selection of Virtual Reality productions from Kenya, Senegal and Ghana. The EiABC community got a viewing session on January 31st.

How do we integrate VR in the built environment and what opportunities would that present?

EiABC protoLAB is proud to announce the successful completion of the RESPONSIVE DESIGN WORKSHOP by Juliane Kahl and Nicola Borgmann at the EiABC protoLAB. " We would like to thank all RESPONSIVE DESIGNERS at EiABC (students +faculty) with Architekturgalerie Munich, tim Augsburg and ifa. "

The African perspectives Precon 2018 was held at UNECA Addis Ababa from the 25th to 26th of January. A collaboration between TuDELFT and EiABC to explore the theme and topics pertaining to African Urbanization and Architecture. The output from The Precon formed the guideline for the 2019 African Perspectives Conference.

Some of the sessions :

Presentation on What do locals identify as the most critical spatial challenges in Addis Ababa by Maheder Gebremedhin. A practicing architect, he produces and hosts his own radio show Kebet Eske Ketema (from the house to the city), which he uses as a public platform to discuss civil architecture.

Presentation by Christian Benimana on how architecture can bring communities together. He is currently leading the implementation of the African Design Center. A field - based apprenticeship that is set to be the BAUHAUS of Africa.

A comparison of informal settlements in Nairobi Kenya and Shenzen China presented by Zhengli Huang PhD from Tongji University currently working with Tom Goodfellow on a project about China's impact in African Urbanization taking Ethiopia and Uganda as case studies.

More updates coming soon on the upcoming African Perspectives Conference 2019 .

Congratulations to Fikremariam who will be representing the instution at the spring semester exchnage with Bauhaus Weimar.