Dyckman Farmhouse Museum VR Tour
Improving Accessible Visitor Experience / Undergraduate Capstone Project
| WebVR
| Rapid Prototype
Time
2023.03-05
Type
Capstone Project
Group
Katherine Liu
Junru Chen
Tools/Methods
A-Frame WebVR
p5.js
JavaScript, HTML/CSS
My Contribution
Interaction design
VR prototype development
HOW MIGHT WE
Balance historical integrity with accessible visitor experience?
Constructed in 1785, Dyckman Farmhouse stands as Manhattan’s oldest remaining Dutch colonial farmhouse. During my Independent Study in Computer Science at NYU, I collaborated with a Museum Studies student to enhance the preservation efforts of the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance (DFMA).
After meeting with DFMA and a field trip to the Farmhouse, we identified the following friction points in visitor experience:
Physical inaccessibility
Elevated entrance and absence of an elevator coupled with narrow and steep interior staircases make it difficult for people with mobility issues.
Dim lighting
Limited lighting inside the house complicates visibility for visitors with impaired vision, making it difficult to engage with historical displays.
Language and Context Barriers
Existing interpretation materials are challenging for Spanish-speaking locals, younger generations, international tourists, and nearby residents with limited historical knowledge.
Administrative Constraints
With limited staffing resources, it is challenging for DFMA to secure governmental approval for reconstruction to improve physical conditions of the Farmhouse.
SOLUTION
Building a virtual tour prototype
To provide a more accessible visit experience for a diverse audience, we proposed developing a virtual tour where users can explore freely around the Farmhouse without physical restrictions.
Our process began with capturing 360-degree photos of the museum's interior, creating detailed floor plans, and researching historical narratives.
We then integrated these elements, matching each space with contextually relevant text and speech, and linking interactive elements. By using A-Frame WebVR framework and p5.js, I was able to develop a VR tour prototype within 2 weeks.
OUTCOME & REFLECTION
In May 2023, we presented our prototype to the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance (DFMA) team. It was a significant achievement when DFMA decided to adopt our proposal and partnered with Dream Overture to develop a higher-fidelity virtual tour.
This project posed a challenge in balancing historical authenticity with modern accessibility standards. Successfully navigating this complex task highlighted my proficiency in applying user-centered design principles across unique scenarios, effectively transforming user needs into practical, creative solutions.
