Crossing the pell

Time: 2022
Duration: 4 months
Location: Old Colony House, Newport, USA
Intro: Crossing the Pell is an exhibition that uses virtual and augmented reality to reimagine the Pell Bridge, offering immersive 3D experiences that allow visitors to explore stunning views of Narragansett Bay and envision walking or biking across the iconic span.
My role: As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.

Background

Poet Carl Sandburg once said, "Nothing happens unless we first dream." The Claiborne Pell Bridge, constructed in 1969, was born from the dreams of those who envisioned connecting Aquidneck Island to Jamestown and beyond. Over fifty years later, in a different context, new dreams have emerged—dreams of crossing that same bridge not by car, but on foot or by bicycle.In 2021, the Crossing the Pell RISD Interior Architecture studio conceived several visionary projects—Conductivity, The Net, Inhabited Bridge, and All the World’s a Stage. These concepts envisioned a suspended lower level on the bridge, transforming it into a space for pedestrians, cyclists, and vibrant cultural venues like parks, cafes, and even a floating fish market.As part of the Exhibition Design Team in 2022, I contributed to the design, construction, and presentation of an exhibition that brought these innovative ideas to life. Utilizing state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology, we transformed these concepts into immersive experiences, allowing the public to explore and engage with the future visions developed in the Crossing the Pell studio.

Pell bridge, Newport, USA

The exhibition

Design Criteria and Constraints

Limited Budget
Up to $5000

Reusability
Easily disassembled

Transportability Travel exhibitions

New Technology (VR and AR)

Four infrastructural visions

Conductivity

The net

All the world stage

Inhabited bridge

First concept

Community Participation

This was our initial design concept, though it was eventually replaced. Our focus at the outset was on creating an exhibition that would deeply resonate with the local community. We envisioned a space that would engage an audience already familiar with the issues at hand. To accomplish this, we designed participatory zones where visitors could linger, interact, and contribute their own opinions and stories, thereby enhancing the exhibition's narrative.

Final Design

Location: Old Colony House, Newport Design
Team: 14 students in total

We designed and executed the exhibition from the ground up, with our team handling every detail, from selecting the site and crafting the design to procuring furniture, creating graphic elements, printing, construction, and overseeing public engagement.

Pano tour photograph

VR bike ride photograph

Immersive visualization

AR Explore

Pano Tour

VR Bicycle tour

User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Sketchfab

User perspective
Rhino, Twingmotion, Kuula

Unity perspective
Rhino, Unity

AR explore photograph

Pano tour photograph

VR Bicycle tour photograph

Graphics

To complement the immersive experience, we developed a cohesive system of graphic materials, including posters, brochures, column wraps, and a feedback board. Each element is designed to maintain consistency in the visual narrative, enhancing the overall experience of the exhibition.
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Feedback engagement

At the conclusion of the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to interact with the feedback board. This interactive feature allows them to share their thoughts on the renovation plans for the bridge and their experience with the new technologies showcased. The feedback gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the future vision of the Pell Bridge.
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Visitor voting on feedback board

Reflection

The Use of Immersive Technology

Working with AR/VR technology showed me how these tools can transform ideas into engaging, interactive experiences. Watching visitors virtually walk or bike across the future Pell Bridge underscored the potential of these technologies to bring visionary concepts to life.

Designing for Social Impact

The project highlighted the importance of considering the broader social implications of design. Our proposal to redesign the Pell Bridge not only aimed to enhance mobility but also to address economic divides in Newport, demonstrating how design can play a crucial role in promoting social justice.

The Value of Community Collaboration

Incorporating visitor feedback into the exhibition was a powerful reminder of the importance of community involvement. The interactive elements allowed the public to contribute their ideas, making the project a collaborative effort that truly reflected the community’s vision for the future of the Pell Bridge.