VR Experiments in the Archive
25 September 2025 - 29 November 2025
A series of experimental experiences brings projects from the National Collection for Dutch Architecture and Urban Planning to life through virtual reality. Using VR technology, students from TU Delft’s Virtual Architecture Museum research and design studio, have investigated the relationship between spatial design, media and historiography – the study of written history.
Media architecture
The students studied historical cases of media architecture, ranging from panorama buildings to national museums and world expo pavilions. These buildings were analysed and translated into three-dimensional virtual environments, creating new forms of archival storytelling.
The presentation highlights three projects from the Virtual Architecture Museum: Hendrik Wijdeveld’s pavilion for the Holland America Line at the 1937 Paris World Fair; Le Corbusier, Yannis Xenakis and Edgar Varèse’s Philips Pavilion for the 1958 Brussels World Fair; and MVRDV’s Dutch pavilion at the 2000 Hannover Expo. Using a VR-headset, you an experience these virtual environments yourself.
Research in Progress
VR Experiments in the Archive is the first presentation in the Research in Progress series. Twice a year, the Re-Centre offers a platform for research in and on the National Collection for Dutch Architecture and Urban Planning. With these presentations, we aim to showcase new perspectives on the collection and spark stimulating exchanges.
VR Experiments in the Archive was developed in collaboration with Delft University of Technology and the Jaap Bakema Study Centre.
The Virtual Architecture Museum Research and Design Studio, 2023–2025
The Virtual Architecture Museum design studio at TU Delft is a Master’s studio that combines design and research. Students not only study historical examples, but also design a small media pavilion in which they interpret the relationship between virtual and physical experiences. New digital technologies ensure that the student work is naturally multimedia in nature.
A website collects the results so far.