Infocastle: A VR Thesis Book by Basem El Koury

Preserving Cultural Heritage through Virtual Reality

The thesis explores the project of a VR 3D simulation of the castle "Oberkapfenberg" in Austria, during the Renaissance period. To reflect the project's concept, the book's binding materials were carefully chosen to convey a sense of historical significance and technological advancement. The result is a seamless blend of wood, representing the castle's historical aspect, and a hologram, symbolizing the cutting-edge technology of VR.

The realization of the VR simulation required extensive research and collection of information, including plans, paintings, and photographs of the castle. This data was used to reconstruct the castle in its original state, allowing users to immerse themselves in a virtual tour of the Renaissance-era structure. The thesis book itself measures 200 mm x 25 mm x 200 mm, with a wooden slipcase measuring 206 mm x 36 mm x 211 mm.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Infocastle is its interaction with the reader. When the book is held up to a light source, a hologram of the 3D castle is revealed within a black square. By gently rotating the book, readers can explore the castle from various perspectives, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.

Basem El Koury embarked on this project in September 2017 and completed it in May 2019 in Graz, Austria, as part of his master's thesis. The research underlying the design focused on the digital preservation of historical relics and the use of VR to recreate them in a realistic digital form. Infocastle serves as a comprehensive documentation of the castle Oberkapfenberg, accompanied by a 3D simulation built by the author himself.

The creation of Infocastle presented several challenges for Basem El Koury, including learning 3D modeling, game engine development, and VR techniques from scratch. Additionally, gathering all the necessary information about the castle and obtaining the specific wood and hologram for the project proved to be a daunting task.

Infocastle has received recognition for its innovative design and practicality. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Print and Published Media Design category in 2020. This prestigious accolade is given to designs that meet professional and industrial requirements, integrating industry best practices and demonstrating competent technical characteristics.

Infocastle stands as a testament to the power of VR in preserving and experiencing cultural heritage. Through its unique design and immersive content, it bridges the gap between the past and the present, allowing users to explore and appreciate historical landmarks in a whole new way.