Peneda, Michael2025-09-012024Peneda, Michael. (2024). Project Reality - Imagining the symbiotic relationship between virtual reality and the human narrative [Master`s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/46152https://hdl.handle.net/10539/46152A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters in Architecture, In the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024With virtual reality technology being ever more integrated in our daily lives, through the accessibility to technology such as smartphones, personal computers, the internet, and social media. The potential possibilities for exploration, education, historical preservation, spatial exploration and how we define reality are endless. With the Newtown precinct having historical, educational, and recreational facilities within the heart of Johannesburg yet not functioning as a true representation of a cultural precinct. It provides the perfect catalyst for a virtual reality centre that enables the public to access this technology and explore its vast potential whilst reviving and transforming Newtown into a functional cultural precinct. Whilst being supported by the surrounding public infrastructure as well as creating a new pillar to support the precinct. This virtual reality centre provides the ability for users to explore both the virtual realm and the physical, while being able to easily transition from one to the other. With new ways of engaging with spatial exploration, immersive education, and new representations of historical narratives. With the building functioning as an amalgamation of new representations of classical typologies such as museums, exhibition spaces, galleries, research development and education facilities. By housing the functionalities of these typologies within the centre yet representing them in new ways with unique ways of engaging with them.en© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDVirtual RealityDissertationSDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructureSDG-4: Quality education