Virtual Memorial Park
Type: 2020 Winter CSP
Site: Memorial Square, Providence, RI, US
Date: 02.2020
Team: Xue Gao, Xinyi Sun
Responsibilities: Site Visit, 3D Modeling, Virtual Reality Environment & Interaction Construction, Panorama Rendering
Tool: Rhino, Enscpae, Unreal Engine 4, Pano2VR
Will the audience gain a richer place understanding through enhanced immersive experience and interaction?
Initially built in the memory of WW1, WW2, and the Vietnam War, the memorial park located on the Providence River's riverside now serves multi-functionally. The double identity of a citizen leisure space and a serious commemoration place raises our curiosity about what a modern memorial park should be.
Thus, in this virtual memorial park project, we explored how technologies could help us with the dilemma. We created an immersive virtual reality environment of the memorial park with a series of interaction for users to gain information and feel the atmosphere, and invite professors and students to experience and talk about their feelings.
Daily Life
The memorial park is located near RISD campus and Brown Public Health department. Lots of students enjoy their lunch time and small talks around every day. It is also a wonderful place for neighbors to spend weekend with families and friends.
As a RISD student who pass by every day, I have an opportunity to observe and experience daily activities here and even talk to some of the park users, which provide me a foundation understanding of the park.
Background
Memorial Events
Memorial Park pays homage to Rhode Islanders who gave their lives during wars and conflicts . For all full WaterFire lightings the park is one end of our footprint. It has become a reflective place for visitors and locals alike. The light of luminaria candle lanterns lead you along the winding paths towards several memorials. Everyone is welcome to be a part of the night by dedicating a luminaria and sharing their light with the world.
Pano2VR Experience
The website is a panoramic tour we create, 4 different locations, 2 modes, in the park with interactive information about the park history.
VR Experience Archive
The VR experience is a virtual event collection of Memorial Park next to the Providence River. We attempted to bring people back to Waterfire by setting up the iconic starry lights, playing music, and reproducing activities.
There are also videos, pictures and text introducing the history of the Waterfire event and the memorials. They triggered when users transport themselves virtually to related areas.
Exhibit & Feedback
Reactions Of The Participants
Likes
Generally, participants were fond of interacting with the environment and objects. Most of them enjoy picking up the little stones, which is an activity for memorials at Waterfire. In real life, people put small stones on big oval concrete. In the virtual world, participants like to throw them up to the sky. Some even expected surreal interactions, like catching the stars.
Participants also paid attention to the phenomenon of the scene, like the sound, the starry light, and how grass and leaves waved as an implication of gentle wind.
Participants were interested in how the information was presented. Some liked how videos responded to their actions. The video was only displayed when participants were transported in front of them.
Dislikes
Some participants felt dizzy after wearing the VR headset. Some also found it hard to orient themselves in the virtual environment and they felt a bit confused about how to navigate. They thought instruction would be helpful.
There was a general feeling of loneliness. Many participants asked to add more people to the virtual landscape, and if it was possible to have interactions with them.
Some participants expected the environment to be more realistic or more natural in appearance.
