After 30 years, the M Leuven museum located in St. Peter’s Church in Belgium has been fully restored. The restoration efforts have brought about more than just physical changes; the museum also introduced an innovative and immersive experience for its visitors.

This new interactive encounter harnesses the power of Mixed Reality and Microsoft HoloLens to offer a truly distinct museum experience. Notably, the M Leuven museum is the first of its kind to incorporate the HoloLens within a cultural setting. Some visitors have even likened the experience to stepping directly into the artwork itself.

But how does this encounter differ from typical interactive museum experiences? Unlike the more prevalent methods involving signs that explain displays or an exploration approach that guides users through a series of events, the HoloLens transports users into the paintings themselves, allowing them to get up close with individual figures. As users interact with the paintings, the experience takes on the sensation of an artist or expert personally sharing secrets and detailed information about each component.

As depicted in the video provided below, everything within the HoloLens user’s field of view is seamlessly integrated. This eliminates the necessity for labels, signage, and place cards that might clutter the environment and divert visitors’ attention from the splendor of the church and its paintings.

Beyond this, an immersive experience presents additional advantages, such as providing access to otherwise challenging-to-view artworks within the church. An example is the exquisite triumphal cross positioned above the altar, a masterpiece created around 1490 by sculptor Jan Borman II. Due to its elevated location, appreciating the artwork and its intricate details can be quite difficult. However, the HoloLens virtually transports users in front of the artwork, allowing them to move around and view it from different angles, much like standing near the top of the church.

This use case carries the potential to expand and find implementation in other museums as well. In the future, traditional tour guides might become obsolete, replaced by on-demand recordings that guide users through the museum. Additionally, a personalized feature is another potential benefit to anticipate. Users may interact with the HoloLens to choose between a comprehensive exploration of a painting or a more concise summary, tailoring the experience to their preferences.