The Forest in the House
Project name | The forest in the house (Skogen i huset) |
Program | Installation and research |
Client | The National Museum |
Location | Oslo |
VR developer | Ole Petter Larsen / Atelier Oslo |
Sound research and development | NOTAM |
Curator and research | Birgitte Sauge and Anne Qvale / National Museum |
Researchers | Rolf Steier and Palmyre Pierroux / University of Oslo |
Status | Completed 2018 |
The installation at the National Museum combines virtual and physical experiences. It features a 3D model of a virtual world replicated partly in a physical installation, both of which are synchronized. Visitors wear physical sensors and are represented as avatars in the virtual realm, allowing them to navigate the three-dimensional physical installation while wearing VR headsets.
This project emerged from an interdisciplinary collaboration as part of a research initiative by the National Museum, focusing on the integration of VR technology in the dissemination of digitally created architecture.
The centerpiece of the installation recreates the spatial qualities experienced during walks in the forest. A real location near the Oslo Fjord was meticulously 3D scanned and transformed into a digital model for further development. Nature's elements were translated into architectural features: trees became columns, the forest floor transformed into terraced levels, branches evolved into vaults, and leaves functioned as a light filter surrounding the structure.
Atelier Oslo's architects aimed to showcase a diverse and informal architectural style that sparks curiosity and fosters a sense of belonging through the intersection of architectural and natural elements.
The final installation offers a holistic experience of virtual and physical architecture, complemented by immersive acoustics and soundscapes. Beyond the captivating visual journey provided by VR glasses, the exhibition invites visitors to engage with a broader range of kinetic, tactile, and auditory stimuli.