Crossing The Pell
Time: 2024
Time: 2024
Duration: 3 months
Duration: 3 months
Location: Old Colony House, Newport, USA
Location: Old Colony House, Newport, USA
Intro:
Intro:
Crossing the Pell is an exhibition that uses virtual and augmented reality to reimagine the Pell Bridge, offering immersive 3D experiences that allow visitors to explore stunning views of Narragansett Bay and envision walking or biking across the iconic span.
Crossing the Pell is an exhibition that uses virtual and augmented reality to reimagine the Pell Bridge, offering immersive 3D experiences that allow visitors to explore stunning views of Narragansett Bay and envision walking or biking across the iconic span.
Crossing the Pell is an exhibition that uses virtual and augmented reality to reimagine the Pell Bridge, offering immersive 3D experiences that allow visitors to explore stunning views of Narragansett Bay and envision walking or biking across the iconic span.
My role
My role
As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.
As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.
Time & Status:
Time & Status:
September 2022 - December 2022
September 2022 - December 2022
Overview
Overview
Overview
Background
Background
Background
Poet Carl Sandburg once said, "Nothing happens unless we first dream." The Claiborne Pell Bridge, constructed in 1969, was born from the dreams of those who envisioned connecting Aquidneck Island to Jamestown and beyond. Over fifty years later, in a different context, new dreams have emerged—dreams of crossing that same bridge not by car, but on foot or by bicycle.In 2021, the Crossing the Pell RISD Interior Architecture studio conceived several visionary projects—Conductivity, The Net, Inhabited Bridge, and All the World’s a Stage. These concepts envisioned a suspended lower level on the bridge, transforming it into a space for pedestrians, cyclists, and vibrant cultural venues like parks, cafes, and even a floating fish market.As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.
Poet Carl Sandburg once said, "Nothing happens unless we first dream." The Claiborne Pell Bridge, constructed in 1969, was born from the dreams of those who envisioned connecting Aquidneck Island to Jamestown and beyond. Over fifty years later, in a different context, new dreams have emerged—dreams of crossing that same bridge not by car, but on foot or by bicycle.In 2021, the Crossing the Pell RISD Interior Architecture studio conceived several visionary projects—Conductivity, The Net, Inhabited Bridge, and All the World’s a Stage. These concepts envisioned a suspended lower level on the bridge, transforming it into a space for pedestrians, cyclists, and vibrant cultural venues like parks, cafes, and even a floating fish market.As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.
Pell bridge, Newport, USA
Pell bridge, Newport, USA
The Exhibition
The Exhibition
The Exhibition
Design Criteria and Constraints
Design Criteria and Constraints
Design Criteria and Constraints
Limited Budget
Limited Budget
Up to $5000
Up to $5000
Reusability
Reusability
Easily disassembled
Easily disassembled
Transportability
Transportability
Travel exhibitions
Travel exhibitions
New Technology
New Technology
(VR and AR)
(VR and AR)
Four infrastructural visions
Four infrastructural visions
Four infrastructural visions
Conductivity
Conductivity
The net
The net
All the world stage
All the world stage
Inhabited bridge
Inhabited bridge
First Concept
First Concept
First Concept
Community Participation
This was our initial design concept, though it was eventually replaced. Our focus at the outset was on creating an exhibition that would deeply resonate with the local community. We envisioned a space that would engage an audience already familiar with the issues at hand. To accomplish this, we designed participatory zones where visitors could linger, interact, and contribute their own opinions and stories, thereby enhancing the exhibition's narrative.
This was our initial design concept, though it was eventually replaced. Our focus at the outset was on creating an exhibition that would deeply resonate with the local community. We envisioned a space that would engage an audience already familiar with the issues at hand. To accomplish this, we designed participatory zones where visitors could linger, interact, and contribute their own opinions and stories, thereby enhancing the exhibition's narrative.
Final Design
Final Design
Final Design
Location: Old Colony House, Newport Design
Team: 14 students in total
Location: Old Colony House, Newport Design
Team: 14 students in total
Location: Old Colony House, Newport Design
Team: 14 students in total
We designed and executed the exhibition from the ground up, with our team handling every detail, from selecting the site and crafting the design to procuring furniture, creating graphic elements, printing, construction, and overseeing public engagement.
We designed and executed the exhibition from the ground up, with our team handling every detail, from selecting the site and crafting the design to procuring furniture, creating graphic elements, printing, construction, and overseeing public engagement.
We designed and executed the exhibition from the ground up, with our team handling every detail, from selecting the site and crafting the design to procuring furniture, creating graphic elements, printing, construction, and overseeing public engagement.
Pano tour photograph
Pano tour photograph
VR bike ride photograph
VR bike ride photograph
Immersive Visualization
Immersive Visualization
Immersive Visualization
Design Criteria and Constraints
Design Criteria and Constraints
Design Criteria and Constraints
AR Explore
AR Explore
Pano Tour
Pano Tour
VR Bicycle tour
VR Bicycle tour
Four infrastructural visions
Four infrastructural visions
Four infrastructural visions
User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Sketchfab
User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Sketchfab
User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Kuula
User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Kuula
Unity perspective
Rhino, Unity
Unity perspective
Rhino, Unity
AR explore photograph
AR explore photograph
AR explore photograph
AR explore photograph
AR explore photograph
AR explore photograph
Graphics
Graphics
Graphics
To complement the immersive experience, we developed a cohesive system of graphic materials, including posters, brochures, column wraps, and a feedback board. Each element is designed to maintain consistency in the visual narrative, enhancing the overall experience of the exhibition.
To complement the immersive experience, we developed a cohesive system of graphic materials, including posters, brochures, column wraps, and a feedback board. Each element is designed to maintain consistency in the visual narrative, enhancing the overall experience of the exhibition.
Feedback engagement
Feedback engagement
At the conclusion of the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to interact with the feedback board. This interactive feature allows them to share their thoughts on the renovation plans for the bridge and their experience with the new technologies showcased. The feedback gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the future vision of the Pell Bridge.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to interact with the feedback board. This interactive feature allows them to share their thoughts on the renovation plans for the bridge and their experience with the new technologies showcased. The feedback gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the future vision of the Pell Bridge.
Visitor voting on feedback board
Visitor voting on feedback board
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
The Use of Immersive Technology
The Use of Immersive Technology
Working with AR/VR technology showed me how these tools can transform ideas into engaging, interactive experiences. Watching visitors virtually walk or bike across the future Pell Bridge underscored the potential of these technologies to bring visionary concepts to life.
Working with AR/VR technology showed me how these tools can transform ideas into engaging, interactive experiences. Watching visitors virtually walk or bike across the future Pell Bridge underscored the potential of these technologies to bring visionary concepts to life.
Designing for Social Impact
Designing for Social Impact
The project highlighted the importance of considering the broader social implications of design. Our proposal to redesign the Pell Bridge not only aimed to enhance mobility but also to address economic divides in Newport, demonstrating how design can play a crucial role in promoting social justice.
The project highlighted the importance of considering the broader social implications of design. Our proposal to redesign the Pell Bridge not only aimed to enhance mobility but also to address economic divides in Newport, demonstrating how design can play a crucial role in promoting social justice.
The Value of Community Collaboration
The Value of Community Collaboration
Incorporating visitor feedback into the exhibition was a powerful reminder of the importance of community involvement. The interactive elements allowed the public to contribute their ideas, making the project a collaborative effort that truly reflected the community’s vision for the future of the Pell Bridge.
Incorporating visitor feedback into the exhibition was a powerful reminder of the importance of community involvement. The interactive elements allowed the public to contribute their ideas, making the project a collaborative effort that truly reflected the community’s vision for the future of the Pell Bridge.
© Jinlan Huang 2024
© Jinlan Huang 2024
© Jinlan Huang 2024