If These Walls Could Talk | St Georges Hall Location-based Immersive Experience
- Submitting institution
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The University of Liverpool
- Unit of assessment
- 13 - Architecture, Built Environment and Planning
- Output identifier
- 15904
- Type
- K - Design
- Open access status
- -
- Month
- April
- Year
- 2020
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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1
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- This innovative digital design research used volumetric film (3D-holograms of real people) and other audio-visual techniques (AR/VR/projections) as a new form of immersive/mixed-reality (MR) for location-specific, non-invasive spatial-storytelling. It was used to create an architectural heritage experience for visitors to St George’s Hall, Liverpool, a Grade 1 listed building on a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There were three research questions:
1. Value Proposition: How can volumetric film (3D-holograms) be used in an architectural heritage context to offer audiences an immersive, location-specific experience?
2. Problem Definition: What are the implications/limitations for volumetric film (3D-holograms) and other AR/VR immersive technologies in the context of “location-specific” heritage experiences?
3. New Method: What new “workflow” is necessary to combine “volumetric film” with AR headsets (Microsoft/HoloLens), allowing the audience a fluid interaction between real space, audio/visual content and virtual characters?
Methodology: Archival research was used to gain an understanding of the architectural/social history of St George’s Hall, leading to narrative and digital content creation (audio/video/3D-holograms) that effectively communicates the architectural and social history of the space at a point-in-time. Digital content was embedded into the historical setting to respond to the location and people’s experiences in the building.
Significance: Commissioned by Culture Liverpool, the research provides a conceptual approach for a mixed-reality installation in a sensitive context (UNESCO/Grade 1) and led to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport awarding Koeck £250k to develop a new smartphone-based visitor attraction at St George’s Hall.
Originality: This is the world’s first volumetrically filmed (hologram), mixed reality (HoloLens) heritage experience for a Grade 1 listed building and UNESCO heritage site.
The research resulted in a public exhibition at St George’s Hall (2019) with a permanent sound and projection mapping installation (»250k visitors per annum). Two documentary films were produced on the process of volumetric capture and audience engagement.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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