Arboretum
The Arboretum is reminiscent of a small garden space that lets the player experience a therapeutic environment surrounded by natural elements. It is one of the ten interactive spaces developed as a part of a collaborative virtual reality project which examines the themes of destruction, growth, sustainability, and mindfulness using the metaphor of a desolated shopping mall. It was developed in remote collaboration using Unity game engine and tools enabling virtual teamwork and helped designers mitigate issues related to isolation during coronavirus pandemic.
Year
2020
Category
VR, Immersive
Tools
Cinema 4D, Unity 3D
Accepted at the 2021 International Conference on Design Principles & Practices
Flōrens, an augmented reality experience, transforms our perception of gardens by leading users into an alternate realm. In this digital landscape, concealed plants and plant-like beings come to life through touch or discovering hidden symbols, challenging traditional notions of a garden. The project prompts participants to question preconceived ideas about gardens and redefines our understanding of nature and the emerging 'new unknown' by intertwining the virtual and the physical. Each touch or symbol identification becomes a key to unlocking a new aspect of this immersive experience, turning gardening into an interactive, multisensory journey. Users who navigate the augmented reality garden actively reshape their environment, becoming integral to the unfolding narrative
