The Vault Project is a 2023/2024 pilot collaboration between Museum London and students from three local high schools. The goal was to create three-dimensional virtual models of historical artifacts using photogrammetry techniques. The initiative aimed to provide visitors with an interactive and immersive experience of the museum’s collection, allowing them to view, rotate, and zoom in on artifacts—offering perspectives that are not possible with traditional displays.
This project was part of my internship at Museum London, where I worked closely with the exhibition team to support both technical and creative aspects of the project. My primary role was to design and build the arcade cabinet that houses the digital models. I created the models using Cinema 4D, embedded them into a website using a model viewer, and ran the site on a Raspberry Pi using a Node.js server. The cabinet allows museum visitors to interact with the digitized artifacts in a hands-on, educational way.
One of the main challenges was working within the hardware limitations of the Raspberry Pi. Running a web server and rendering 3D models smoothly required performance optimization and compatibility adjustments for the device’s browser.
Another major hurdle was file size management. The original models from Cinema 4D had high polygon counts, which needed to be reduced significantly for web use without compromising visual clarity. I also had to troubleshoot integration issues, such as making the model viewer work seamlessly on a local offline server, which involved testing different configurations.
Lastly, designing the physical arcade cabinet itself presented its own set of challenges, from structure and materials to making sure it was user-friendly and engaging for a public audience.
This project gave me valuable hands-on experience in multiple areas. I became more confident in setting up and running Node.js servers on Raspberry Pi, and I deepened my understanding of optimizing and preparing 3D models for web display.
I also learned how to bring together physical computing and web development to build an interactive exhibit. Just as importantly, I saw firsthand how thoughtful user experience design plays a critical role in public spaces like museums—where accessibility, simplicity, and curiosity must all work together.
The Vault Project is currently on display at Museum London and will remain there until September. I encourage everyone to visit and explore both the physical artifacts and the interactive arcade experience developed by students.
This internship at Museum London gave me a chance to combine creativity, technology, and public engagement in a real-world setting. I’m proud to have contributed to a project that brings local history to life in a fun, meaningful, and innovative way.
