Simulation The Great Exhibition of 1851 in VR

The Great Exhibition ran from May to October 1851 in London's Hyde Park, in a temporary building known as the Crystal Palace. Six million visitors passed through the turnstiles, to view over 100,000 individual exhibits. Now, over 170 years later, we are recreating the exhibition as an immersive VR experience (Unity/SteamVR).
Initial progress is described here:

 

An update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Completion of the gallery. Various changes to better reflect the actual form & colour schemes of the real building. Issues re rendering performance:

 

I'm really chuffed how my model is looking (first image: early 1852, as the Great Exhibition building is starting to be dismantled; second image: roughly the same view in my model)

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851 (the completion of the roof, including Shepherd's Electric Clock):

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851 (adding the Hyde Park environment, the elm trees, the boiler house):

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851: adding the banners - and learn about misspelt names; interloping (not yet) United States; Zollverein; and a big boost for J Schweppe & Co.:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851: adding flags and coats of arms:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851: completing the coats of arms in the British nave:

 

That is a great start to a wonderful exhibit. For more steam era inspiration as you play, the later half of the gorgeous anime film "Steam Boy" takes place in and around that building.

 

This vids, voiced with strong British accent, sounds very interesting

 

Will check it out.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851: the (African) elephant in the Indian section:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851: Liverpool docks & other exhibits added to the nave:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Including: information about Thomas Lucas' school of The London Society for Teaching the Blind to Read, and the statue of Dr Jenner.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Including: the model bridge from the New York Iron Bridge Company; the large Earthen Wine Jar (or "tinaja") from Toboso in Spain; the Roe & Hanson Fountain in the North transept; Dent's Turret Clock; the Ross Telescope.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Including: the Seeley market-place fountain; the Blind School displays; Harriet Ross' Stone Cross; pillars of Madrepore marble; The Greek Huntsman by John Gibson in the British Sculpture Room; the exhibition post-box:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. How I captured Queen Victoria!

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. As per the title - 14 sculptures added.

 

That's a great idea! Good luck!

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. A somewhat different video this time: looking at the various sources used to define the simulation.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Assorted additions to nave.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Canada.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Refreshment Courts: Schweppes, Younghusband & Masters

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Starting to add the French exhibits:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Some more statues and the Koh-i-Noor diamond:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The origin of the euphemism "to spend a penny":

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. A number of exhibits, most with Royal connections:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Sculptures, paintings, illustrations, maps, mables & other art:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. From our visit to the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. William Wallace, Chance Brothers lighthouse lens, Woodruff tables, Nasmyth Steam Hammer, William Shakespeare:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. China, the Ottoman Empire

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Last Sunday we went on a road trip to photograph 3 statues, here is the result:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Coalbrookdale greyhound dog & dome, Yorkshire stands, Axminster carpet

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Duke of Rutland by Edward Davis; stands in the agriculture department; Edmund Crosskill, wheel manufacturer

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. We battled through the recent floods to reach University College Oxford to photograph Eldon & Stowell, displayed in the Western Nave of the Great Exhibition:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Cottam & Hallen gates; fountains by John Thomas and J. P. Victor André; United States shield:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The project is now 7 months old. This video shows large parts of the transept & nave, as seen with and without a VR headset.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Cheesewring Column and linen manufacturers (yes, there is a connection)

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Adding the last of 7 fountains. Plus a second lighthouse lens. And Scottish Regimental Tartans.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Large glass sheet, Royal Navy anchors, railway level crossing gates & signal post.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Before synthetic materials, animal products were used widely in fashion.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Prince Albert's Model House was erected in Hyde Park Barracks, just South of the Crystal Palace. After the Great Exhibition closed it was relocated to Kennington.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Many sculptures at the Great Exhibition are now lost, untraced or not accessible - we are starting to deal with them.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Into the gallery & some eccentric exhibits: a barometer powered by leeches & (trigger warning) a wax model of a dissected head - plus some non-eccentric statuettes.

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Adding a number of sculptures, including several I modelled on a trip to London & Devon a couple of weeks ago:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Two lost sculptures have been recreated, plus more from our trip to London & Devon a couple of weeks ago:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Some of the more functional fixtures & fittings:

 

The latest update on my VR simulation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Queen Victoria's retiring room; statue of horse and dragon; Spiers & Son's papier-mâché goods. The Willis organ:

 

Amazing work for staying dedicated to it, for such long time.

What keeps you motivated for this project?

 

Well, being retired I have the time...

But, visiting the various places (often accessing areas the general public are not normally allowed); meeting interesting people; seeing amazing works of art up close; etc.. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.