VR Cathedral for Education

experience gothic Architecture anywhere

Gothic is an architecture of light, space, and dramatic scale. These concepts are best understood through experience, but this is difficult to convey in the classroom. The VR Cathedral makes it possible to experience Gothic from anywhere. Users can freely explore elements of Gothic architecture in this virtual experience, which is based on the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims.

The non-profit, educational app for Oculus Quest (ages 13 and up) was designed to introduce Gothic architecture in public education, where history before the year 1500 is seldom taught. A prototype was piloted at Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School in December 2021. Student’s reactions and a related assignment are discussed here.

University of Alabama computer science students are currently developing new education and game modes for the app.

Project Direction and Concept – Jennifer M. Feltman, The University of Alabama

Technical Supervision – Tom Mikota (version 1.0); Jeffrey Carver (version 1.1)

Visuals and Gameplay – Dylan Dalal and Alec Tremblay (version 1.0); Jacob Gilliam, Jackson Gold, Joseph P. Hudson, Reece Parlier, Ashley Ramadan, Thomas Remhoff, Trevor Spillane (version 1.1)

Digital Scanning and Photography – Robert Bork, Pierre Hallot, Drew Hutchinson, Adam Skibbe, Rebecca Smith, and Michelle Wienhold

Graphic Design – Jonathan Cumberland

Education Partners – Jessica Buckley, Art and Design Teacher, Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School; Constance Pewee-Childs, Principal, Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School; Jeffrey Shultz, Coordinator of Fine Arts, Tuscaloosa City Schools

With support from: