The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893: A Real-Time Visual Simulation Model

School of the Arts and Architecture

Primary contact

Lisa M. Snyder, Ph.D.
The Urban Simulation Team at UCLA
(310) 825-5660
lms@ucla.edu

Project URL

www.ust.ucla.edu/ustweb/Projects/columbian_expo.htm

 

Project description

Real-time visual simulation technology has the potential to radically alter our understanding of historic urban environments. Unlike fixed computer animations, real-time technology allows interactive exploration of the modeled site, thereby creating unprecedented opportunities for experiential interpretation and innovative pedagogy. The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 is a perfect test case for the educational applications of this remarkable technology. The exposition was a milestone for American architecture and urban planning. As Director of Works, Daniel Burnham coordinated a team of the most notable architects in the country, each designing one of the fair’s major buildings. As a group, these architects created a classical city that would have lasting repercussions on American design ideals and spark the American Renaissance and City Beautiful movements. Our understanding of this important complex has heretofore been based solely on static images and written descriptions. This is no longer the case. Real-time visual simulation technology allows us to reclaim the lost experience of navigating through the White City. Just as in 1893, the completed model will allow users to stroll along the virtual Court of Honor, tour the Wooded Island, and marvel at the fair’s classical structures from a gondola.

This project builds on the Urban Simulation Team's experience with contemporary urban environments and cultural heritage sites. Most specifically, the project has been informed by the team's reconstructions of the Herodian and Umayyad Temple Mount for the Israel Antiquities Authority currently installed in the Davidson Center in Jerusalem.

Funding for the state buildings in the northern zone of the fair has been provided by the Brinson Foundation. Special thanks to the Musuem of Science and Industry, Chicago; the Ryerson & Burnham Archives at the Art Institute of Chicago; the Chicago Public Library, Special Collections; the Chicago Architectural Foundation; the Chicago Park District; the Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events; the Chicago History Museum; Joe Valerio of Valerio DeWalt Train Associates; Linda Searl of Searl and Associates; Susan and Harlow Higinbotham; Ed Hirschland; and Dave Philips of the David R. Philips Photographic Gallery of Vintage and Historical Photographs.

Project video