Opening the Doors to a Historic House with Virtual Reality

MiA Museum and Glitch Studios collaborated to digitally preserve and share the legacy of Roald Amundsen, one of history’s most celebrated polar explorers. Through the use of advanced photogrammetry and innovative storytelling techniques, this project has transformed Amundsen’s Norwegian home into an immersive virtual experience, reaching a global audience and attracting nearly 28,000 virtual visitors annually compared to the 3,000 who can physically visit the house each year.

At the Museum XR Summit, Sami Hamid and Anders Bache shared the story.

A Historic House Frozen in Time

Amundsen’s house, located in Uranienborg, Norway, is a modest yet historically significant structure that has been a window into his adventurous life. Its traditional Norwegian architecture, combined with its untouched state since 1928, offers a rare glimpse into the personal and professional world of one of history’s greatest explorers. The famed polar explorer, who conquered the South Pole in 1911 and traversed the Arctic Ocean by airship, left his home in 1928 for what would be his final expedition. Since then, the house has remained untouched, serving as a time capsule filled with personal artifacts, expedition gear, and relics of his remarkable achievements. However, due to the fragile condition of the interiors, only a limited number of visitors have been allowed to step inside.

“Amundsen’s life is a tale of spectacular adventures, from navigating the Northwest and Northeast Passages to exploring the vast Antarctic and Arctic landscapes,” explained Anders Bache, a researcher and consultant at Museums in Akershus. “The house he left behind is a treasure trove of memories, yet its delicate state makes it inaccessible to the masses.”

This challenge prompted MiA Museum to find an innovative solution that would preserve the essence of Amundsen’s home while making it accessible to people worldwide. Enter Glitch Studios, led by producer and co-founder Sami Hamid, who brought their expertise in emerging technologies to the project.

Digitising the Past: A Technological Triumph

The collaborative effort between MiA Museum and Glitch Studios aimed to recreate the historic house digitally with unparalleled accuracy, ensuring every detail was captured to maintain the authenticity and historical integrity of this iconic site. This level of precision is crucial for preserving fragile heritage and making it accessible to future generations in a way that honours its original form. By employing state-of-the-art photogrammetry, the team captured every detail of the home—from its unique architecture to the smallest artifacts. Using high-resolution 70mm cameras, they created a comprehensive digital model of the two-storey house, preserving not just its structure but also its spirit.

“Digitising historical artifacts through photogrammetry is not new in the museum sector, but we wanted to push the boundaries of this technology,” said Hamid. “Our goal was to achieve a level of detail and depth that would make the virtual experience as close to the real thing as possible.”

The team meticulously captured Amundsen’s personal belongings, including his South Pole sledge compass and handwritten notes. Modern installations, such as emergency exit signs and sprinkler systems, were digitally removed, restoring the house to its original state as it appeared in 1928. This attention to detail extended to digitising other related artifacts, such as the wreckage from Amundsen’s last voyage and his iconic tent, through partnerships with other museums.

Bringing the House to Life

While the digital recreation was visually stunning, something was missing—the ambience that would breathe life into the virtual experience. To address this, the team recorded ambient sounds from the house, such as the creaking floorboards, the ticking of a German clock, and the faint melodies of a piano. These audio elements added an immersive layer to the experience, making it feel as though visitors were truly walking through Amundsen’s home.

“For the first time, users could freely explore Amundsen’s house, interact with his belongings, and even snoop through his drawers,” Bache noted. “We layered multiple shots with varying focus depths to ensure the digital objects became richer in detail the closer users got to them.”

Expanding Access Through Virtual Reality

The final digital model was made available for free on Steam, the world’s largest distribution platform for games and digital experiences, chosen for its vast reach and accessibility. This strategic decision ensured that the project could connect with a diverse and global audience, maximising its impact. The response was overwhelming. Thousands of people from around the world, many of whom had never heard of Roald Amundsen, explored the virtual house, creating content and sharing their experiences online. In a single year, the virtual experience attracted nearly 28,000 visitors, significantly surpassing the 3,000 annual visitors who could physically tour the house.

This innovative approach not only amplified the reach of the museum but also showcased the potential of digitisation to redefine how cultural heritage is experienced. “We have opened the doors of Amundsen’s home to a global audience,” said Hamid. “Now, anyone can explore it at any time, without causing wear and tear to the historic site.”

Beyond Virtual Reality: Endless Possibilities

The digital assets created for the project have applications beyond the virtual tour. They can be used for immersive web experiences, incorporated into exhibitions at other museums, or even employed as virtual set pieces for television productions. “This is just the beginning,” said Hamid. “The source material we’ve captured is of the highest quality, ensuring it stands the test of time and remains usable for future technological advancements.”

The project also serves as a safeguard against potential disasters. For example, after the devastating fire at Brazil’s National Museum in 2018, digital replicas of certain artifacts allowed some elements of the collection to survive virtually, providing a foundation for future restoration and research. Similarly, Amundsen’s digitised house ensures that his legacy will remain intact even if the unthinkable occurs. Should the physical house suffer damage from fire or flooding, the detailed digital replicas will ensure that Amundsen’s legacy can continue to inspire future generations.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Amundsen’s Legacy

The success of the virtual house has paved the way for additional projects aimed at bringing even more life to Amundsen’s story. Upcoming initiatives include educational experiences for schoolchildren, which will feature interactive lessons using augmented and virtual reality to teach polar exploration history and navigation skills. Additionally, an AI-powered avatar of Amundsen will guide visitors through his home, sharing stories and insights from his life and expeditions to make the experience both educational and engaging. In one particularly ambitious project, users will be able to join Amundsen on the ice, experiencing his adventures as though they were there themselves.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting. Over the next few years, several centennial milestones in Amundsen’s life and achievements will be commemorated, culminating in 2028—the 100th anniversary of his final departure from the house.

A Model for the Future

The digitisation of Roald Amundsen’s house shows the power of technology to preserve and share cultural heritage. By embracing innovation, MiA Museum and Glitch Studios has safeguarded a historic site but also redefined what it means to experience history.

This project is an inspiring example for museums worldwide. It demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to overcome challenges of accessibility, engage new audiences, and ensure that the stories of the past continue to resonate in the future. For museum professionals, it’s a call to explore the untapped potential of digital storytelling and to imagine the possibilities that lie ahead.

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Interested in learning more about Virtual Reality in Museums? why not join us for the Museum XR Summit.