The Challenge
The Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin wanted to document its exhibition digitally and make it accessible to a worldwide audience. The challenge was to let visitors experience physical rooms in a digital space, not as static photos but as an interactive 3D experience.
At the time, there were no established solutions for web-based 3D visualization of museum spaces.
Our Solution
We developed an innovative web-based 3D space virtualization:
Custom Web 3D Engine
Since existing solutions did not meet the requirements, we built our own 3D engine for the browser:
- Smooth 3D rendering on the web
- No plugin installation required
- Optimized for different bandwidths
Interactive Navigation
Visitors can move freely through the virtualized rooms:
- 360-degree view in every direction
- Zoom in on details and exhibits
- Intuitive control by mouse or touch
Exhibition Documentation
Every room and every exhibit was carefully captured:
- High-resolution images of all exhibits
- Spatial arrangement as in the real museum
- Information on the exhibits
A Team of 12
For this ambitious project, we led a team of 12 people who carried out the concept, development and capture together.
What Made It Special: Pioneering Work
This solution was ahead of its time. Web-based 3D visualization was uncharted technical territory back then. The techniques and insights developed here significantly shaped later projects.
The Result
The 3D space virtualization set new standards:
- Worldwide access to the exhibition, regardless of location
- Accessible experience for people with limited mobility
- Lasting documentation for future generations
- An innovative approach that paved the way for modern museum virtualization