Portuense Crystal Palace

Introduction

Porto Editora is recognized as the largest Portuguese publishing group, and is consolidated in the Porto Editora Group. Since 1944, it has been publishing books and other books in the fields of education, reference and literature, and is also a leader in the digital publishing of reference educational content in the Portuguese language. The company is a privileged partner for different agents involved in research and study in various areas of knowledge.

Porto Editora has been promoting various initiatives that will allow society to have greater contact with books, words and writing. Based on the following values - rigor, responsibility, proximity, excellence and innovation - the brand seeks to relate to different audiences in order to open up horizons.

Opportunity

Built in 1865 for the Porto International Exhibition, the Palácio de Cristal Portuense represented the progress and strength of the city's industry and culture. Although it was demolished in 1951 due to high maintenance costs, its legacy continues to be valued. Thus, the main objective is to develop a solution that will bring the Palácio de Cristal back to life so that it can be presented on Porto Editora's platforms, making it accessible to the public and preserving its history for future generations.

Solution

In partnership with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto (FLUP), which played an important role in this project in terms of cultural and historical accuracy, 3Decide developed a reliable and detailed 3D model of the Crystal Palace, based on historical references and relevant information about it. This model served as the basis for creating a 3D guided experience, i.e. a “journey through time” where the story of the Crystal Palace is told in chapters. Throughout the experience, the model rotates as the story is told, with information points in both video and photography. The solution also includes insulation that allows each user to explore all the details and go through the whole experience interactively, creating a complete and immersive vision of the historical symbol that was the Crystal Palace.