The famous temples of Baalbek, the ancient Heliopolis in Lebanon, are one of the largest Roman religious sites in the world and a World Heritage Site. The app “Baalbek Reborn. Temples” uses the latest technology to reconstruct the ruins

The famous temples of Baalbek, the ancient Heliopolis in Lebanon, are one of the largest Roman religious sites in the world and a World Heritage Site. The app “Baalbek Reborn. Temples” uses the latest technology to reconstruct the ruins

The famous temples of Baalbek, the ancient Heliopolis in Lebanon, are one of the largest Roman religious sites in the world and a World Heritage Site. The app “Baalbek Reborn. Temples” uses the latest technology to reconstruct the ruins

Who hasn’t wished to be able to view the modest architectural remains of Rome’s former greatness in all their architectural beauty? In the case of the imperial temples of Baalbek in Lebanon, this is now possible. Thanks to money from billionaire Bassam Alghanim, a virtual reality project has been set up to reconstruct the temple complex in its presumed original state.

An app with a 3D reconstruction enables a breathtaking tour of the most powerful sanctuary of the Roman Empire. Baalbek is one of the few settlements in the world that has been continuously inhabited for 10,000 years. Baalbek, the ancient Heliopolis, in the fertile Bekaa Plain in Lebanon, is famous today primarily for its temples from Roman times, which characterize the place. At 22.6 meters high, the six remaining columns of the Temple of Jupiter are the mightiest columns of the Roman Empire. But it is difficult to imagine what Roman life was like in the Levant 1,800 years ago.

This is about to change, because the free app “Baalbek Reborn. Temples” provides unprecedented insights into this fascinating architecture. The app was produced by Flyover Zone Productions from the USA and the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities (DGA) of the Lebanese Ministry of Culture.

1800 years at the click of a mouse

It begins with an aerial view of Baalbek, near where the two Lebanese rivers Litani and Orontes rise. Baalbek is Aramaic and means “Lord of the Spring”. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and built the enormous sanctuary of Jupiter and other temples here, the largest temple complex in the entire Roman Empire. The app shows the city at the height of its power around 215 AD.

It is recommended that you first choose the half-hour tour to 38 points to familiarize yourself with the huge complex and the app. After that, you can jump around and browse as you please. The app works on two levels: It takes users to the actual excavation site, where DAI archaeologists have been working since 1998, and to the hypothetical reconstruction created by computer animation based on scientific documentation by the Flyover Zone team. It is usually possible to jump between the two levels – 1800 years with a click of the mouse.

Tip: Virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D modeling: museum4punkt0 brings together seven cultural institutions of different sizes and institutional profiles from all over Germany in a joint collaborative project. Innovative applications of digital technologies in museums are tested and evaluated in close cooperation. Find out more here.

The Forests project at the London Design Festival was inspired by the Japanese term “shinrin yoku”: “immerse yourself in the forest with all your senses”.

Living space is becoming increasingly scarce and rents are skyrocketing, especially in the megacity of London. So-called third places – spaces between the home and the workplace, retreats on the threshold between private and public – are important meeting points in modern urban society. They extend the personal comfort zone and are used for relaxation, encounters and productivity.

The “Forests” project, launched as part of the London Design Festival, is located in the lively Shoreditch district in the heart of London. Initiated by the car brand “Mini“, it was created in cooperation with the London architect Asif Khan. It represents three interpretations of these in-between spaces. The basic idea behind all three spaces is inspired by the Japanese term “shinrin yoku”, which means “immerse yourself in the forest with all your senses”.

The Connect Space is a place for informal encounters and exchanges – whether spontaneous or planned. The center of the room is a long table that can accommodate up to 20 people. The Create Space, on the other hand, offers a pleasant atmosphere for focused work. A creative oasis – with furniture that can be arranged flexibly. The Relax Space welcomes visitors with an abundance of hanging plants. It offers space for retreat and invites you to relax. The installation shows a creative approach to improving the future quality of life in cities.

After the “Mini Living” installation, a modern home-sharing concept for this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan, Mini is setting the next accent in terms of the future of living and working with the temporary Mini Living “Forests” pavilions.