Fluid Boundaries: A Design Methodology For The Interplay of Digital and Physical Spaces

This paper examines the impact of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), on architectural education, using the Design Technologies course at Istanbul Bilgi University as a case study. XR allows students to transcend traditional architectural boundaries, creating immersive and dynamic digital spaces. Through a qualitative analysis of student projects, the study explores the integration of theoretical frameworks from Gilles Deleuze, Pierre Lévy, and William J. Mitchell. These frameworks emphasize the fluidity of virtual spaces, where architecture is no longer bound by physical constraints but continuously evolving through interaction and transformation. The findings demonstrate that XR fosters innovative design thinking, enhances technical proficiency, and deepens students' understanding of spatial dynamics. Ultimately, the paper concludes that XR technologies provide significant educational value by equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate and shape the future of architectural practice.