Computer games may not sound like a big part of the future for construction design, but they could be. Through Minecraft, and games like it, kids are learning the skills they need to excel at virtual design. If you haven’t played, Minecraft involves “mining” different kinds of 3D blocks, and “crafting” them into new creations. There’s a parallel with Lego, but Minecraft goes much further. On LinkedIn, Joel Chappell says “It’s like building something out of Lego after you made and moulded the plastic and dyed it with plants that you grew yourself, and then going on an adventure inside it through forests and deserts while monsters are chasing you”.

It’s entertainment, but the skills required are absolutely relevant to virtual design. Players need to be able to:

• Build in response to different biomes (terrain)
• Problem solve in a “live” environment, being chased by monsters
• Use materials in creative and unique ways
• Collaborate with others, in multiplayer situations, right across the world 

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