Goethe’s Live 3D is an immersive museum experience designed to present historical information through a novel and deeply engaging lens. While the original museum underwent renovations, our project utilized high-fidelity 3D scans of the house to build a digital environment. For our final prototype, two complete rooms were fully integrated and enriched with interactive content.

Our mission was to visualize Goethe’s complex thoughts and interests, making them more accessible and vibrant for both virtual and in-person visitors. We aimed to move beyond the constraints of a conventional museum by focusing on a versatile concept that thrives as both an immersive VR experience and an interactive AR tour. We achieved this by implementing distinct virtual spaces that represent Goethe’s specific reflections on each exhibit. To ensure user empowerment, visitors remain in total control; they can choose the artifacts they find most interesting and examine them at their own pace. A key feature of the experience is the “thought room”—a small, meticulously crafted world dedicated to each artifact. Visitors can choose to remain in the main room or transition into these deeper narratives by “wearing” Goethe’s hat, which serves as an intuitive and symbolic mode switch. Additionally, each exhibit features Goethe narrating his thoughts onto why this artifact can be found in his house - acting as an audio guide.

Through this blend of interactive engagement and user agency, our project offers a sophisticated encounter for anyone eager to explore Goethe’s intellectual world. This approach bridges the gap between scholarly research and immersive storytelling, giving Goethe’s ideas a contemporary resonance. Furthermore, the system we have created is designed to be easily expandable, allowing for the seamless integration of additional artifacts and rooms in the future.