Fernhill Park Experience is an educational augmented reality (AR) game centered around Fernhill Park and Gardens in Stepaside, Dublin. Developed in collaboration with IADT’s Public Design Lab and Noho Creative Design, the project was funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under the Discover Programme and is a partnership between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology.
Using AR technology, the app presents a three-dimensional model of Fernhill that users can interact with. It overlays virtual objects onto the real-world environment, allowing players to explore Fernhill while gaining knowledge about rewilding, reforestation, and renewable energy. Acting as the ‘Parks Superintendent’ players can make real-time modifications to the park, such as increasing forestation or reducing renewable energy generation. Ultimately, they select a final scenario for Fernhill and discover the consequences of their decisions by viewing a futuristic representation of the park in fifty years.
Aimed at school going kids from 10 upwards and using mobile phone functionality a playfield is generated modelled on the fantastic Fernhill Park. Developing this app allowed dlr to engage with our wonderful education partners in IADT | Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
How to play the game
Become our park supervisor for a day and learn how to manage and bring about changes to our park that will enhance it over the next 50 years. Be an eco-warrior. Place the map on a flat surface, scan it using the app and see Fernhill come to life.
Download the app on Android or iOS