Mountain Cabin – The Beginning
In 2020, I had my first taste of virtual showhouses when I participated in the Seasonal Living Magazine Virtual Showhouse. I designed the home and built the 3D architectural model and environment. It was created using panoramic images to simulate a 3D environment—a different technology, but it set me on the path to exploring virtual spaces.
By 2021, the buzz around the Metaverse was growing, especially after Sandbox Alpha launched, and virtual land sales were making headlines. But here’s the thing—no one in my industry was talking about it. No one was experimenting, no one was building, and no one was even considering the potential of immersive virtual showhouses.
I felt like I was venturing into uncharted territory. There was no roadmap, no playbook, and no community to lean on. It was both thrilling and terrifying. But the idea of being a pioneer was too exciting to pass up, even if it meant figuring it all out on my own.
I started experimenting with Sandbox’s creator tools and quickly realized that the Metaverse was all about 3D modeling—and that was right up my alley. I then discovered Spatial, a platform for hosting immersive virtual experiences, and I knew I’d found my playground.
A virtual showhouse felt like the perfect proof of concept. It was risky, and a little scary, but I was hooked.
Building the Mountain Cabin Metaverse Showhouse
There was no blueprint, just a lot of trial and error. I spent countless hours figuring out how to optimize 3D models, texturing, and lighting while developing a workflow from my main design software, Chief Architect. I wanted a seamless process from creating buildable plans to exporting multi-platform models. This even led me down the rabbit hole of learning game development in Unity.
I was essentially building the plane as I was flying it, testing the limits of digital environments and learning new workflows along the way. Somewhere in this whirlwind of creativity, I got playful and added a “This Space Available for Brand Sponsorship” sign in the virtual showhouse. It was just an experiment, but it sparked some interesting conversations about the commercial possibilities of virtual environments.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but this little experiment was about to open some pretty big doors.
2022: Teaching and Gaining Recognition
In September 2022, I started teaching my Metaverse Workshops to help designers, architects, and others in the design and construction industry learn about the Metaverse. I used the Mountain Cabin as a virtual tour destination, showing them firsthand what was possible with digital spaces.
The response was incredible. People were excited to explore the virtual showhouse, and it sparked great conversations about the future of design. It was during this time that Leslie approached me with the idea of working as my PR agent, pitching virtual showhouses and showrooms to her industry connections.
Wanting to gain more exposure, I decided to submit the Mountain Cabin to Interior Design Magazine’s Metaverse Architecture Awards. I didn’t expect much, so when it became a finalist, I was beyond excited.
This recognition was a game-changer. It gave me credibility as an innovator in virtual design and showed the industry that digital showhouses could be more than just conceptual ideas—they could be immersive experiences with real-world impact.
April 2023: Sparking Interest at Dallas Market Center
Around this time, Dallas Market Center (DMC) was considering doing something related to tech education. The buzz around virtual design—and my recognition as a finalist—caught their attention.
Leslie, who was working as my PR agent, pitched the idea of a Metaverse showhouse to DMC, using the Mountain Cabin as the proof of concept. She positioned herself as the client liaison and project manager, while my work provided the creative and conceptual groundwork.
It was the perfect storm of timing and visibility. The Mountain Cabin had proven that immersive digital spaces could capture attention, and DMC saw the potential to bring that experience to their audience.
January 2024: The DMC Metaverse Lighting Trendhouse
Fast forward to January 2024, and the DMC Metaverse Lighting Trendhouse was unveiled at Lightovation. Seeing it come to life was surreal. All the workflows, immersive design ideas, and sponsorship concepts I’d experimented with in the Mountain Cabin were now fully realized in a digital showhouse integrated into a major industry event.
I could see the Mountain Cabin’s DNA in every part of the Trendhouse. It was the proof of concept that showed just how powerful Metaverse showhouses could be, and it was incredible to see that vision come to life on such a grand stage.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, I can see how pivotal the Mountain Cabin project was. It started as an experiment—a way for me to learn the ropes of Metaverse design—but it grew into something much bigger. It became a prototype that demonstrated the power of digital environments and eventually led to a groundbreaking collaboration with Dallas Market Center.
What I love most about this journey is that it all started with curiosity and a willingness to figure things out as I went along. There was no blueprint, no guarantees, just the excitement of exploring something new. And that’s what makes virtual design so thrilling—it’s about imagining possibilities and then bringing them to life.
Looking Forward
The Mountain Cabin was just the beginning. There’s still so much to explore in virtual design, and I’m excited about what’s next. From immersive digital experiences to new ways of storytelling, the possibilities are endless.
I’m grateful for the journey so far, and I can’t wait to see where this adventure leads next. Who knows what the next experiment will inspire?
Curious to Learn More?
Want to check out the Mountain Cabin project or learn more about virtual showhouse design? Take a look at my portfolio or reach out—I’d love to chat about the future of digital spaces.
