With its walk-through visualization of the Lentos, the Ars Electronica Futurelab provides a sneak preview of the New Gallery of the City of Linz’s collections in its new facility on the banks of the Danube. The CAVE application illustrates the concept of the Zurich architectural firm Weber & Hofer AG through the use of a scale model of the reinforced concrete structure set in its actual surroundings. In this interactive environment, visitors can stroll through the approximately 2,500-m2 exhibition area, view the space designed to serve as a venue for major events, or visit the in-house café-restaurant. Particular attention was given to a realistic depiction of the museum’s interior lighting situation. A virtual tour of the facility’s exterior grounds offers an impression of the building’s situation within the Linz cityscape.
The dominant architectural feature of the new structure is its semi-transparent exterior shell of glass that delivers a luminous reflection of sunlight and the waters of the river flowing past. The application also enables users to walk through the lobby area designed as both an open sculpture hall and a transitional zone opening up a view of the Danube.