The Project
Avezzano che fu is a digital heritage project that reconstructs part of the city of Avezzano as it appeared before the devastating 1915 earthquake. Through historical documents and AI-powered colorization, we brought the lost urban landscape back to life in immersive digital form.
The reconstruction has been deployed in three different formats to make this historical memory accessible through multiple touchpoints: a permanent VR installation, a phygimap interactive display, and a mobile AR experience.
The Challenge
The 1915 earthquake completely transformed Avezzano, erasing entire neighborhoods and architectural landmarks. While historical photographs and documents existed, they were scattered, often black and white, and inaccessible to the general public. The challenge was to transform these archival materials into an engaging, accurate, and accessible experience that would allow people to witness the city's lost past.
The Solution
We developed three complementary installations, each serving different contexts and audiences:
VR Installation (Explore-powered)
A fully immersive virtual reality experience that allows visitors to walk through the reconstructed city streets as they were before 1915. Using our Explore framework, users can navigate freely through the digital reconstruction, exploring buildings, squares, and urban details with room-scale movement.
Features:
- Room-scale VR navigation
- Detailed 3D reconstruction from historical sources
- Interactive points of interest with historical context
- AI-enhanced colorization of historical imagery
- Seamless integration with Explore plugin
Phygimap Interactive Installation
A physical-digital hybrid installation that bridges tangible interaction with digital content. Visitors interact with a physical map or interface that triggers corresponding digital visualizations of the reconstructed city.
Features:
- Tangible interaction with historical maps
- Real-time synchronization between physical and digital layers
- Multi-user experience capability
- Educational content integration
- Accessible for all ages
AR Mobile Experience (Explore-powered)
The "Avezzano che fu" app, available on iOS and Android, transforms smartphones into windows to the past. The first location is Piazza San Bartolomeo, where users can point their device and see the entire square as it appeared before the catastrophic event.
Permanent Installations
The VR and phygimap installations are permanently housed at the "Aia dei Musei" museum in Avezzano, where they can be experienced during regular opening hours. These installations serve as both educational tools and emotional connections to the city's history.
Technology Stack
- 3D Reconstruction: Historical photogrammetry and architectural modeling
- AI Colorization: Machine learning-powered color restoration of historical photographs
- VR Platform: Unity + Explore plugin for immersive navigation
- AR Platform: Unity + Explore plugin for mobile AR
- Phygimap: Custom interactive installation framework
- Content Management: Historical documentation and narrative design
Collaboration
The project was realized for the Rotary Club of Avezzano, in collaboration with the Comune di Avezzano (Municipality of Avezzano). This partnership enabled the combination of historical expertise, technological innovation, and community engagement.
Cultural Impact
Avezzano che fu represents more than a technological achievement—it's a bridge between generations. Elderly citizens can revisit places from their parents' memories, while younger generations can discover a city they never knew existed. The project preserves cultural memory in a format that will remain accessible for future generations.
Key Outcomes:
- Preservation of historical memory through digital means
- Educational resource for schools and institutions
- Tourist attraction highlighting local history
- Community engagement and identity strengthening
- Innovative use of AR/VR for cultural heritage
Experience Philosophy
The core concept is simple but powerful: your phone becomes a window to the past. By standing in present-day Avezzano and looking through the AR app, visitors experience a direct, spatial connection to history. This isn't just learning about the past—it's seeing it, standing where it once was, and understanding the scale of what was lost and remembered.
Interested in a Similar Project?
If you're interested in digital heritage reconstruction, cultural installations, or immersive experiences for your city or institution, we'd love to hear from you.