As part of its ongoing effort to utilize innovative methods for showcasing the cultural heritage of Ermoupolis, Aegean Echoes partnered with the University of the Aegean to create pioneering digital experiences at the Kois Mansion.
These initiatives include a new augmented reality (AR) application, designed and implemented by Associate Professor Spyros Vosinakis and lecturer Pavlos Chatzigrigoriou within the framework of the XARTS 2025 Summer School “Digital Media in Art.” Visitors, wearing AR glasses, experience an immersive digital performance in the mansion’s living room, where three-dimensional figures appear, converse, and interact with the space, offering a playful and interactive narrative.
At the same time, a three-dimensional sample of a digital tour (VR) was developed using an Insta360 360° camera, exploring how immersion can enhance the presentation of tangible cultural heritage. The short sample presents three areas of the mansion, narrated by Cynthia from Aegean Echoes:
– the morphological and aesthetic features of the living room,
– a brief historical overview of the dental office,
– and a short transition to the central hall.
The VR version emphasizes spatial perception and three-dimensional visualization, while the physical tours delve into the social and anthropological contexts of Ermoupolis’ mansions.
These actions are part of the long-term utilization of Augmented Reality (AR) tools developed in projects led by Spyros Vosinakis and his team of students. AR—the integration of digital information such as text, images, and 3D models into the real environment—serves as a powerful tool for interpreting cultural heritage without altering the physical monument.
Through this collaboration, Aegean Echoes reaffirms its role as an organization connecting culture with digital innovation, breathing new life into the island’s heritage.
