Research & projects
Rewi Alley Museum AR
Project settingRewi Alley Museum · Christchurch, New Zealand
Collaboration scheduleFurther collaboration and field activities planned from March 2027
Project statusResearch preparation and prototype development
This project explores augmented reality as a medium for museum interpretation, with a focus on helping visitors encounter Rewi Alley-related heritage through situated digital experiences. The concept uses mobile AR to layer narrative, archival, visual, and contextual information into the physical museum environment, creating a more active relationship between visitors, objects, and historical space.
The project is also interested in how AR can support cross-cultural interpretation, particularly where museum materials connect New Zealand, China, education, social history, and international exchange. Rather than treating AR as decoration, the work positions it as a storytelling interface that can guide attention, reveal context, and make museum visits more memorable and accessible.
Planned collaboration
Further collaboration and field activities are planned to begin in March 2027. The next phase will develop the museum case study, refine accessible handheld interactions, and prepare in-context evaluation with older adults. The schedule is presented as planned work while institutional and site arrangements continue.