Shanghai Museum of Glass NXT is an immersive hyperrealistic realtime-3D experience for education and cultural entertainment.

Shanghai Museum of Glass in the real world is a renowned cultural destination, offering over 20,000 square meters of exhibition space and featuring more than 4,000 exhibits and interactive installations across art, design, science, and technology.

NXT is the initial move to digitalize the entire museum collection, laying the groundwork for a sustained commitment to delivering state-of-the-art visitor experiences in the forthcoming digital era. It merges the physical and virtual environments, empowers visitors to interact with art, and fosters social connections. All these elements together curate a deeply introspective and participatory cultural journey, elevating museum experiences to the next level.

Accessible through designated stations at the physical museum, or via VR headsets, NXT offers visitors an unhindered virtual environment to explore and engage with exhibits at their own pace. Art objects are recreated with precision and intricacy. Interactive installations are digitally adapted with a fantastical touch. Historical photographs or events are manifested as live scenes.

In the physical museum, visitors observe the intricate details, vibrant colors, and captivating reflections of glass objects. The digital museum offers dynamic, interactive experiences that extend the storytelling possibilities and the reach of the art collection.

Beyond displaying its art, NXT’s curation highlights the unexpected connections that exist within the diverse collection, and prompts visitors to contemplate broader themes related to the future, nature, and social topics.

Another commitment of NXT is to foster social connections. Visitors in the real world can observe others navigating the virtual tour on display screens, while in the virtual realm, each visitor is represented by a digital avatar, allowing for interaction and a social experience. Furthermore, NXT is populated with glass-figure NPCs, who share their “Transparent Thoughts” with the visitors when approached, creating a sense of community and shared discovery.

The digital interface offers a dynamic visitor experience, while the tangible museum offers a steadfast environment for its art collection. This dual approach minimizes the need for frequent renovations, thus optimizing resource utilization and reducing environmental impact.