Shenzhen Institute of Tsinghua University
June 12, 2023
On the 12th of June, 2023, Virtual-LaborA had the honor of receiving a delegation from the esteemed Shenzhen Institute of Tsinghua University. This visit served as a testament to the prospective avenues for future collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and Shenzhen Institute in establishing a robust network bridging Europe and Asia.
The overarching themes of architecture and digitization emerged as prominent pillars driving global innovation, creating an atmosphere ripe with transformative possibilities.
During the visit, Virtual-LaborA presented a repertoire of noteworthy projects that showcased the seamless integration of Virtual Theatre and Hologram Table technologies. Notably, a comprehensive survey conducted utilizing the formidable capabilities of Google Earth stood out as a testament to the cutting-edge advancements in the field.
The meeting served as a catalyst for an engaging and insightful discourse, exploring the harmonious integration of technical competencies and the potential for significant academic developments. It sparked a fervent exchange of ideas, igniting a spirit of collaboration and fostering an environment conducive to groundbreaking innovations.
TIANJIN UNIVERSITY
May 27, 2023
During 27 th of may, 2023, virtual-LaborA received the visit of the Tianjin University Research Institute of Architecture Design & Urban Planning Co. The visit showed the potential for future cooperation between Politecnico di Milano and Tianjin University in the creation of a network between Europe and Asia.
Architecture and digitisation appears to be the common theme for increasingly global innovation.
Virtual-LaborA showed during the visit projects conducted with both Virtual Theatre and Hologram Table, such as the survey from Google Earth.
The meeting promoted an interesting debate over the integration of technical competences and possible academic developments.
ATHENS PROJECT: Create your own Avatar
March 13-17, 2023
The “Athens project” workshop had taken place in the LaborA virtual during the week from 13 to 17 march, 2023. Several students partecipated in this workshop, coming from nine different universities such as TU Delft, Istanbul Technical University, Técnico Lisboa, during which they ventured at elaborating a digital version of themselves in the form of an animated avatar. During this workshop several insights and lessons have been offered to the students in tematics including photography, photogrammetry, digital modeling and usage of digital environments in the Virtual Reality field. Multiple workflows have been tested during this week in order to enrich the personal skill capabilities of the single students and researchers. ATHENS project include 15 technical universities and manages learning programs every six months.
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IDEA LEAGUE
March 7, 2023
During 7th of march, 2023, virtual-LaborA received the visit of five IDEA deans together with their delegates, accompanied by Polimi dean Donatella Sciuto, Prof. Ferruccio Resta, institutional referee Prof. ssa Ilaria Valente and Prof. Stefano Ronchi.
IDEA League is a strategic alliance between some of the most prestigious technical universities, such as ETH-Zürich, TU-Delft, RWTH Aachen, Chalmers University and Politecnico of Milano.
Task of this network consists in deepening ties between technology, science and society. Through this collaboration among universities, IDEA League promotes indeed sharing of a collective heritage made of knowledge, experiences and resources, and aims at linking and inspiring a new generation of European graduates in STEM field, it also supports innovation, entrepreneurship and guiding Europe towards a move innovative and inclusive future.
Virtual-LaborA showed during the visit projects conducted with both Virtual Theatre and Hologram Table, such as the survey of “Duomo di Milano” ( link ). The meeting promoted an interesting debate over the integration of technical competences and possible academic developments.
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DIGITAL WEEK 2022
November 11-12, 2022
During 11th and 12th November, Virtual-LaborA hosted more than 200 visitors inside its structure to share immersive and mixed reality experiences.
- The Hologram Table has been utilized to showcase two projects:
“A.M.AL.PI. 18 – Discovering past and today territories. Virtual usage of digital models” by 3D Survey Groups ABCLab. - Research from Interreg AMALPI18, Alpi in Movimento, Movimento nelle Alpi. Piuro 1618-2018, Programma di cooperazione Interreg v-a Italia Svizzera, Asse 2.
On the Virtual Theatre multiple images and models were projected, mostly regarding the territory of Lombardy such as “Cammino di Sant’Agostino” and historical buildings in “Villa Reale, Parco di Monza”. Immersive experiences of buildings by Yasmeen Lari have been projected as well.
Inside the main hall of LaborA, an interactive experience between Virtual Reality and physical one has been presented, with non-verbal communication elements, filtered by a machine in the shape of robotics bodies commanded remotely; users were immersed in a virtul space that represents the robot perception, in which the user needs to learn how to navigate, giving movement to the robot itself.
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WORKSHOP HUMANITARIAN ARCHITECTURE: Yasmeen Lari
September 6 – October 11, 2021
This AUIC School workshop takes place on the occasion of the Honoris Causa Degree in Architecture, awarded to the Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari, champion of zero emissions and supporter of the poorest of the poor.Participants explored Lari’s work by analyzing the construction details and architectural redesign of his most famous humanitarian projects.Prototypes of the following projects have been prepared: 3D digital reproductions, 3D prints and bamboo maquettes of the LOG Lari OctaGreen, Women Center, The Pakistani Chulah.The 3D models created by the participants were shown to Yasmeen Lari digitally in the virtual theatre for an immersive experience and in the holographic table to understand the three-dimensionality.Particular attention was devoted to the study of vernacular bamboo construction techniques and their graphic rendering in the digital world.
LABORA Inauguration
June 21, 2021
Inaugurated in conjuction with the new Architecture Campus designed by Renzo piano and with the president of the republic, Sergio Mattarella. The laboratory comprise of 800 squared meters where physical and digital modeling works cuncurrently, designed as a new collaborative environment between architects and engineers. The laboratory promotes collaboration between these two figures by making available both physical modeling equipments and digital visualization tools, such as the 360° Virtual Theatre equipped with an Omnidiretional Treadmill and a Cyclette. It’s not unusual to find heavy machineries for laser cutting or carpentery tools working togheter with 3D printers, plotters and scanners to create and realize physical models of buildings, structures and objects, everything in a collaborative environment of students and ideas. Technical jewel of LaborA, the Hologram Table, is positioned in the bottom floor of the laboratory, able to 3D render and simulating digital models and environments, this device is the only one present in Italy employed for research purposes in both architectural field and engineering.
