On the occasion of the reopening of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York, rebuilt by Santiago Calatrava after 9/11, the experiential design agency G&A created a digital platform to make the visit experience accessible to everyone.
Through an interactive app and a rendering of the spaces obtained via drones and high-resolution 3D photogrammetry, visitors can explore every part of the building, guided by audio narration, text descriptions, and videos offering insights into the history of the building and the theological iconography on the walls. Users can also light a virtual candle, donate, and participate in the religious rites hosted within.
The digital reconstruction of the church was achieved by assembling hundreds of photos and scans, involving not only G&A but also Paris-based digitization studio Iconem and New York-based Hirani Group.
Opening image: Santiago Calatrava, St. Nicholas Church, New York City. Photo Brett Beyer