Extended Media was commissioned by the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum to create a key exhibit for the international exhibition “Vår fru dronning Margrete – Our noble lady Queen Margrete” (March 2022 – September 2023), held at the Visitor Centre, Akershus Fortress & Castle. Our role encompassed the design, fabrication, and installation of a large-scale, interactive exhibit featuring a 3D-printed model of the lost medieval castle.
We combined digital technologies with traditional craftsmanship to create a multi-faceted exhibit that tells the story of the castle’s evolution. The centerpiece was a large-scale (120 x 80 x 40 cm) 3D-printed model of the medieval castle, meticulously recreated from historical documentation and archaeological research.
The project presented a significant challenge: visually reconstructing a structure that had been almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1527. This reconstruction project was a truly collaborative effort, bringing together individuals with diverse expertise. Rafal Hanzl of Extended Media led the technical development as Creative Technologist and Technical Artist, applying his skills in 3D modeling, animation, and interactive technologies. Maureen Thomas, as Interactive Story Architect, Dramaturg, and Writer, crafted the narrative experience, ensuring engaging and accessible presentation of historical information for visitors. Tom Andersen, the Historian, Curator, and Visitor Centre Manager at the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, provided essential historical context and ensured the reconstruction’s accuracy, grounding the project in solid research. The close collaboration between these individuals was key to the project’s success.
The process began with digitally sculpting the castle model in Autodesk Maya, taking into consideration the requirements for 3D printing, such as wall thickness and structural integrity.
The spatial planning process was carefully overseen to ensure a faithful translation from the digital model to the physical object. To enhance the visual impact, we employed projection mapping to cast images directly onto the 3D-printed model, illustrating different theories about the castle’s construction phases. Colored lighting was integrated to highlight architectural details and complement the projected visuals, while digital signage provided further historical context. A separate interactive exhibit accompanying this installation, powered by Unreal Engine, allowed visitors to virtually explore the castle and engage with its history in a more immersive way.
A virtual replica of the exhibition space was created, including a simplified representation of the display table and the surrounding environment. The 3D model of Akersborg Castle was placed within this virtual space, mirroring its intended real-world position. Critically, virtual cameras were positioned to correspond to the actual projector locations, and virtual lights were used to simulate the projected light. Different viewport views show various stages of this setup, including wireframe views for checking geometry, shaded views for assessing the overall composition, and potentially a UV view for checking texture mapping. This process allowed for precise planning of the projection mapping, ensuring accurate alignment of the projected imagery with the physical 3D-printed model.
The 3D printing process for the Akersborg Castle model was iterative, beginning with small-scale test prints to validate the digital design. These test prints allowed for a tangible assessment of the model’s form, proportions, and structural feasibility. Any necessary adjustments or refinements to the 3D model could be made based on the physical test print, ensuring that the final, large-scale print would be as accurate and structurally sound as possible.
The model preparation process provided an opportunity to explore the potential of historical modeling, establishing a foundation of knowledge and techniques that we will apply to future projects. The collaborative “digital sandbox” approach, utilizing tools for real-time communication and iterative design, proved crucial for integrating historical expertise and ensuring accuracy.
The final result was a cohesive and multi-layered exhibit that seamlessly integrated the physical model with dynamic digital elements.