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Through a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Museums and Technology Grant Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is attracting and engaging its visitors in new and innovative ways by bridging established preservation technologies with interpretive digital technologies. Using 3-D interactive technology Vizcaya transport visitors to spaces and even time periods to allow them to freely explore aspects of this National Historic Landmark. This innovative approach to preservation, audience engagement, accessibility and interpretation can serve as a model for other museums and heritage sites.

Utilizing data collected by the University of Florida via laser scanning and by the University of Miami via photogrammetry, Vizcaya uses 3D models of its historic Barge and Pool ceiling mural to create interactive interfaces that enable the user to explore these collection elements as well as learn more about them, including their provenance, conservation issues, and how they have evolved over time. These interfaces are available to museum visitors via a kiosk installed in the Main House, through a virtual/augmented reality platform that is compatible with Google Cardboard and a virtual online interactive web module for offsite visitor access. In addition, Vizcaya has printed 3D scaled replicas of the Barge and its sculptures as well as sections of the Pool ceiling mural and specific objects to establish a handling collection for general visitors and student groups.

The information on the GitHub project is free to be adapted and reused by other institutions for leveraging their 3D documentation point clouds for visitor engagement.