Purdue News
Purdue NewsDecember 5, 1997
An interactive computer program developed by students and faculty at Purdue is taking the Black Cultural Center campaign, and the business of fund-raising, to a new level.
The "virtual visit" software brings the architectural model to life as prospective donors tour the new facility from a computer screen. "We wanted a unique way to tell people about the new center," said Renee Thomas, director of the Black Cultural Center. "We needed something portable so we could take our story on the road. The results have exceeded our expectations by giving those who view it a sense of excitement and ownership in the project. They also can tour the distinctive features of the new building, which include design elements of an African village."
The computer-generated tour travels with Thomas and other staff members on a laptop computer. It consists of a three-dimensional computer graphic model of the new center and video clips of students and BCC activities. The animation begins with an interactive "village portal" and proceeds into a sequence touring the first and second floors. The program offers viewers the option to tour the educational and cultural areas of each floor, including the library reading rooms, the gallery, lounge and exhibition hall, and the computer lab.
The idea for a virtual visit came from Charles B. Wise, vice president for development at Purdue.
"During an academic review in the School of Technology in 1996, I watched a demonstration, in the Department of Technical Graphics, of a modified research project rooted in virtual reality," Wise said. "I asked the department head, Gary Bertoline, if we could apply this technology to the marketing of fund-raising projects. His answer was yes. And that was the beginning of a new application of technology. Where better should this take place than at Purdue University?"
The project was spearheaded by William Ross, professor of technical graphics; James Mohler, assistant professor of technical graphics; John Strathman, producer/director in the Center for Instructional Services; and a team of technical graphics students.
"The project was a win-win situation for both the technical graphics program and the Black Cultural Center," Ross said. "Our students were able to use emerging software and tools not frequently used by students to create this virtual environment from scratch. And the Black Cultural Center now has a product that not only offers an architectural walk-through of the new center, but incorporates a presentation about the people and the focus of the BCC."
Ross said the BCC virtual tour project was a challenge because it required technical components not often or easily put together. The team worked for nearly three months to combine the three-dimensional architectural walk-through with video and audio, all in a seamless format and interface.
According to Thomas, the virtual tour eventually will be placed on the Black Cultural Center's World Wide Web site, so that anyone could have access.
The new facility, designed by Blackburn Architects of Indianapolis, will incorporate geometric patterns, textures and materials typically found in African villages.
Construction is slated to begin in the spring; completion is scheduled for fall of 1999.
The Black Cultural Center serves about 35,000 people each year through its four performing arts ensembles, speaker series, tours and other programs.
The university is providing the land and a $1 million challenge grant toward the $3 million in gifts needed to build the new center. Purdue also has provided an estimated $150,000 toward fund-raising expenses. The $1 million comes from unrestricted gift money, given by contributors for use by the president for the betterment of Purdue.
CONTACTS: Wise, (765) 494-8653; e-mail, cbwise@udo.purdue.edu
Thomas, (765) 494-3091
Ross (765) 494-8069; e-mail, waross@tech.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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