Gaudi Augmented Reality Tour
Imagine going back in time 100 years ago. Architecture revolved around Gothic and Victorian styles, maybe even neoclassical. You would never imagine to a home or a church like those design by Gaudi that are so ahead of its time. Even in the 21st century, I have never seen something quite like it. Hence, nothing prepared me for what I was going to experience when I travelled to Barcelona with my family this summer for my grandfather’s 75th birthday. All I knew was that it would be hot, fun, and that I would finally see what my grandfather raved so often about: this “crazily creative” architect named Antoni Gaudi (1852–1926).
While we saw many of his creations, including the Sagrada Familia, a massive cathedral, I will focus here on Casa Battlo, his family’s home from 1906 to even after he died, 1950. Just like the travel books say: it really was revolutionary!
Just looking at it from the outside is quite the spectacle. And, once you pass through the front doors, it feels like entering the mind of a creative genius .
When going through the lobby of his home tourists are given a blue headset and an iPhone like device. Switching on the device, you are given a series of numbers corresponding to each room. Click on them and the app displays an augmented reality of what the inside would have looked like back in 1906, while a narrative speech plays through the audio headset.
“Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real time. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a totally artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existing environment and overlays new information on top of it.” — Margaret Rouse, Tech Target
When Gaudi designed his home every single detail had a reason behind it. Casa Battlo was supposed to embody a nature theme. The inside meant to represent sea life and the ocean. Scanning the room with the device you not only see what furniture was originally there, but also his ideas in action. For instance, hold the device up to an intricately designed skylight, and sea turtles emerge from it before swimming away. These animation show the audience the inspiration behind Gaudi’s designs.
“They are 100% accurate. We actually have the old pictures in black and white of how the rooms looked. You can compare them, they are 100% percent similar. We just added colour. The only thing we have added on top of reality was the secret techniques Gaudi used to enhance the ventilation in the rooms and also the allusions to nature that he somehow shows in a non-direct way and are subject to interpretation.”
The technology used is as revolutionary as his home. Combined with an audio story, augmented reality gives the tourists and viewers additional information and a deeply interactive experience. I was in awe by this design and I hope one day I too can create something as interesting. The details were sharp and the virtual elements followed you wherever you held the phone without a glitch. For kids, it made the visit more enjoyable because they would constantly be looking for the secret places Gaudi subtly reference sea life, hoping to watch it come to life. Even my 75 year-old grandfather was able to intuitively understand the device and absolutely loved it. It was easy to use and follow, with only pause, play, and numbers buttons to press.
I never once thought that it took away from the actual architecture. In fact, t it enhanced it. Often the audio told you to put the device down to touch and look at certain pieces in the rooms, enabling you to truly live the moment. I felt immersed in the entire experience and left feeling like I really got the full sensation of his home, and more.
