Virtual Architecture

While searching Architecture in Second life, I found something very interesting; a virtual architecture firm. Lester Clark ( a virtual architect) had written an essay explaining why he even bothers to take such time and effort to design buildings that will only exist in binary code. He argues:

"The 'it' to which I refer, is the emergence of virtual architecture, structures of all shapes and sizes, formed and shaped by the intriguing characters that inhabit a variety of virtual worlds. My mind drifts, I see a catwalk parade of outlandish clothing and accessories, of stick thin models that exist in what seems like a parallel universe, and it seems similar somehow? the garments that no one will ever really wear, the work that went into these items being worn for that brief moment on the catwalks of Paris and Rome. What I find similar, is that what you see on those catwalks - when you look and think - is more than just an outfit; it's a display of creativity and that's what it's supposed to be, the hat that no one will really wear is amazing purely and simply because it's the product of a creative mind, it's outlandish, it defies convention, it exists as a momentary sculpture and it inspires clothing manufacturers and designers worldwide to create something similar that contains just a little of the spark they've just seen but this time its about something that can be sold and used by real people, leading real lives. 

The architects and designers that create these virtual structures give us the chance to experience pure creativity again, an art being lost to some of the real life architects today. There was a time when architects were seen as visionaries, where their input was paramount to creating something amazing, something special. Today, sadly, many architects have simply become part of the process, their involvement and input is controlled by many other factors, budget constraints and the need for profit mean that many of the structures that start out as exciting designs, are value engineered by assorted parties to become dull. The finest architects - both real and virtual, those with the passion that you can literally feel when you meet them, are amazing people, they value life and how we live it, they strive to create nice places to live and work, they should be admired and encouraged because they exist solely to impact positively on our lives. "

I truly enjoy his parallel between "high" fashion and virtual architecture. If it comes from a great mind, and can be experienced, even only temporarily, perhaps it is worth it. He has a point that without any constraints at all that architecture can be the most pure. In this world you do not need to worry about gravity, or popular opinion.  It is momentary, but one could argue that it will actually last longer than any real building. It is written in code,  embedded on the internet, perhaps achieving immortality. Isn't that what most architects want?