Distilling a new Willow Court vision
NEW Norfolk Distillery is developing a virtual reality experience to preserve the history of the Willow Court precinct and bring it back to life.
The virtual reality experience is being created in partnership with Willow Court Asylum Tours, the Historical Information Centre, Derwent Valley Council, and artist Jose Garcia.
It will then form part of the distillery’s planned stateof-the-art production facility and bond store.
New Norfolk Distillery director Tarrant Derksen said the group wanted locals and tourists to engage with the historical space in a new and exciting way.
“The vision is to have an increase of visitors look at the exterior of the buildings and form a connection between the past, present, place
and people of Willow Court,” Mr Derksen said.
“The VR will have interactive components, NS feature photographed artefacts with explanations, stories from inside the asylum and the ability to investigate some of the detail of the remaining fabric.
“This technology will also interact with the building’s interiors as a type of augmented reality for the user, so people can stand in a position on their phone and look at the buildings as they once were. The only way currently to see the spaces is through a paranormal tour with Willow Court Asylum Tours and we are aiming to expand and enhance this experience through education and imagination.”
He said detailed photographs of the buildings would be taken before any construction at the site takes place.
“We aim to remain accurate and faithful to the reality of architecture we are working with so as not to be misleading in our VR design,” Mr Derksen said.
Mr Garcia said he was honoured to be able to transform and create an everlasting space within Willow Court. “I intend to be authentic and unique as to respect the historical area.’’