Architects in the Metaverse, ft. Decent Architecture

Stephen Drew speaks with Michel Vieira and Leonardo Marchesi of Decent Architecture about architects in the metaverse, designing virtual spaces, applying physical-world architecture experience and what immersive environments mean for the profession.

Show Notes

Metaverse architecture asks whether spatial design skills still matter when the environment is virtual rather than physical.

Stephen Drew speaks with Michel Vieira and Leonardo Marchesi of Decent Architecture about designing virtual spaces, applying physical-world architecture experience and what immersive environments may mean for the profession.

The conversation covers:

• How architects can approach the metaverse
• What changes when spaces are digital rather than physical
• How spatial experience and interaction shape virtual environments
• Which design skills transfer into immersive work
• Why the metaverse should be tested beyond hype

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv9UlA_JD8s

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/metaverse-architecture-decent-architecture/

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to architects in the metaverse
• 05:00 Decent Architecture and designing virtual environments
• 10:00 Moving from physical architecture into the metaverse
• 15:00 What changes when buildings are digital
• 20:00 Spatial experience, interaction and virtual communities
• 25:00 Design process and tools for metaverse architecture
• 30:00 Client expectations and creative opportunities
• 35:00 Skills architects can bring to immersive environments
• 40:00 Risks, hype and practical use cases
• 45:00 Future directions for metaverse design
• 50:00 Advice for architects exploring digital spaces
• 55:00 Final reflections with Decent Architecture

Creators and Guests

Host

Stephen Drew

Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.