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Publications and talks

Journal articles, a book chapter, peer-reviewed conference papers, and talks. Open a section to see what’s inside. Citation metrics are on Google Scholar.

Publications

Journal articles

3
  1. 2025
    Exploring the Role of Location-Based Games in Managing Tourist Destinations Under Climate Change Challenges: A Gap Analysis Review
    Mansourihanis, O., Hemmati, M., Afshar, S. V., Eshaghi, S., & Varinlioğlu, G. Case Studies in the Environment, 9(1).
    Place and learningDOI
  2. 2024
    Revolutionizing Learning: Unleashing the Power of Technology Gamification-Augmented Reality in Vocational Education
    Wulansari, R. E., Fortuna, A., Marta, R., Primawati, P., Masek, A., Kaya, D., … & Eshaghi, S. TEM Journal.
    Place and learningDOI
  3. 2022
    Pattern Analysis of Virtual Landscape within Educational Games
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., & Kim, I. Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture (DLA 2022: HYBRID — Analog + Digital = The Next Normal).
    Place and learningDOI

Book chapter

1
  1. Forthcoming
    Beyond Representation: Conversational AI and Narrative Immersion in Architecture
    Varinlioğlu, G., Eshaghi, S., & Vaez Afshar, S. In O. Z. Güzelci & I. As (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to Artificial Intelligence in Architecture (2nd ed.). Routledge.
    Accepted

Peer-reviewed conference papers

12
  1. 2026
    Situated Intelligence in Architectural Practice: Conversational AI and Interactive Virtual Environments as Emerging Tools for Project Delivery
    Eshaghi, S. ASCAAD 2026: Situated Intelligence — Emerging Forms of Computational Practices, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul.
    Accepted
  2. 2024
    From Past to Present: A Study of AI-Driven Gamification in Heritage Education
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., Hadighi, M., & Varinlioğlu, G. 42nd eCAADe: Data-Driven Intelligence, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2, 249–258.
    Heritage and playRead
  3. 2023
    Leveraging Landscape Architecture and Environmental Storytelling for Next-Generation Gaming Experiences: A Holistic Approach to Virtual World Design
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., Kim, I., & Afshar, S. 11th ASCAAD, Amman, Jordan.
    Place and learningRead
  4. 2023
    Echoes of Union Depot: A Virtual Reality Educational Game for Historic Preservation and Public Awareness
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., & Hadighi, M. 9th eCAADe Regional International Symposium, Tallinn, Estonia.
    Heritage and playRead
  5. 2023
    A Framework Proposal for Developing Historical Video Games Based on Player Review Data Mining to Support Historic Preservation
    Eshaghi, S., Vaez Afshar, S., & Hadighi, M. ARCC 2023 International Conference: The Research-Design Interface.
    Heritage and playAwardedRead
  6. 2022
    Online Footprint: A Serious Game for Reducing Digital Carbon Emission
    Vaez Afshar, S., Aytaç, G., Eshaghi, S., & Vaez Afshar, S. XXVI SIGraDi: Designing Possibilities — Ubiquitous Conference.
    Place and learningDOI · Read
  7. 2022
    GIS-Based Educational Game through Low-Cost Virtual Tour Experience
    Varinlioğlu, G., Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., Balaban, Ö., & Nagakura, T. 27th CAADRIA: Post Carbon, 1, 69–78.
    Place and learningRead
  8. 2021
    SU: A Serious Game for Water Management — Based on Istanbul
    Vaez Afshar, S., Aytaç, G., & Eshaghi, S. XXV SIGraDi: Designing Possibilities — Ubiquitous Conference, 523–532.
    Place and learningDOI · Read
  9. 2021
    Evaluation of Learning Rate in Serious Game: Based on Anatolian Cultural Heritage
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., Varinlioğlu, G., & Balaban, Ö. 39th eCAADe: Towards a New, Configurable Architecture, 2, 273–280.
    Heritage and playAwardedRead
  10. 2021
    A Game-Based Tool for Freshmen Design Students During the Pandemic Distance Learning
    Vaez Afshar, S., Eshaghi, S., & Örnek, M. A. 4th International Symposium on Art and Design Education, Başkent 2021, 77–83.
    Place and learningRead
  11. 2021
    The Sericum Via: A Serious Game for Preserving Tangible and Intangible Heritage of Iran
    Eshaghi, S., Vaez Afshar, S., & Varinlioğlu, G. 9th ASCAAD: Architecture in the Age of Disruptive Technologies, 306–316.
    Heritage and playAwardedRead
  12. 2020
    Yedikule Bostans: A Serious Game for Cultural Heritage
    Eshaghi, S., & Örnek, M. A. IDU SPAD’20 International Spatial Planning and Design Symposium, Izmir Democracy University, 370–378.
    Heritage and playRead

Talks

Invited lectures

8
  • 2026
    Digital Heritage: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions (with S. Vaez Afshar and G. Varinlioğlu)
    Silk Cities Urban Talk Series, inaugural session (online)
  • 2025
    From Architecture to Informatics: A Journey Through Games and Heritage
    SourceLab Mondays, Department of History, University of Illinois
  • 2024
    From Architecture to Informatics: A Journey Through Games and Heritage
    HEAT Open House, Department of History, University of Illinois
  • 2024
    AR, VR, and MR: Innovation for Building Design
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette, ARCH 530 Advanced Building Systems
  • 2022
    Gamification for Design Research
    MIT Department of Architecture, 4.550/4.570 Learning from Design Heritage
  • 2022
    Serious Games: Cultural Heritage Oriented Games
    DigitalFUTURES.world Talks
  • 2022
    SU: An Educational Game for Water Management of Istanbul
    The World Environment Week, Turkey
  • 2021
    From Architecture to Digital Games
    Metametrik Wednesday Meetups, Turkey

Presentations and posters

7
  • 2026
    Heritage Invisibility: Designated Landmarks in the Blind Spot of Municipal Data
    Poster · NCPE 2026, College Park, MD
    Awarded
  • 2026
    Intelligent Avatars in Language Learning (Durmaz, O., Vaez Afshar, S., & Eshaghi, S.)
    SOCALLT 2026, Baylor University, Waco, TX
  • 2025
    Pixel Quest: The Lost Archive — A Game-Based Approach to Digital Preservation Awareness
    Poster · NCPE 2025, Milwaukee, WI
    Awarded
  • 2024
    SILK Whispers: AI-Driven Gamification for Immersive Heritage Education on the Silk Roads
    Poster · NCPE 2024, New Orleans, LA
    Awarded
  • 2024
    Play/Learn/Teach: New Realities and Playful Learning for Architectural Education (Ghazvinian, A., Eshaghi, S., & Vaez Afshar, S.)
    Talk · ACADIA Conference Ideation Lab, Canada
  • 2023
    Innovative Heritage Surveying: Unveiling the Potential of Digital Technologies
    Poster · NCPE 2023, Washington, D.C.
    Awarded
  • 2023
    The Use of Gamification to Enhance Understanding of Historic District Design Guidelines: The Case of Manhattan Heights, El Paso (Eshaghi, S., & Hadighi, M.)
    APTI 2023, Cultural Heritage track
    Awarded

Panels, roundtables and demos

8
  • 2026
    Panel · “Experiential vs. Simulated Learning”
    APT Academics & Research Committee session, APTI 2026, Indianapolis, IN
  • 2026
    Panel · “Building Communities of Practice in Game Development at University of Illinois”
    MDEV 2026, Madison, WI
  • 2026
    Panel · “The stu/dio Operating System: AI-Assisted Workflows from Vision to Production”
    MDEV 2026, Madison, WI
  • 2026
    Roundtable (moderator) · “Designing Games for Cultural Heritage”
    Playful by Design International Symposium, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid
  • 2026
    Demo · “GSD stu/dio Games”
    IMMERSE Symposium, University of Illinois
  • 2025
    Panel · “A Panel Discussion of the stu/dio: Contributions, Focus Areas, and Challenges in University Student-Driven Game Production”
    MDEV 2025, Madison, WI
  • 2025
    Panel · “Academics and Research Committee Career Fair Panel Discussion”
    APTI 2025, Providence, RI
  • 2024
    Demo · “Transforming ArchViz: Enhancing User Engagement and Interaction in Architectural Visualization through Gamified AI Experiences”
    3rd International Playful by Design Conference, Illinois