Restoring Heritage, Promoting Excellence:
Roheim Villa and the Corvin Chain Board’s Journey in Interactive Cultural Innovation
Background:
The restoration of Roheim Villa began in 2018. Currently, the villa is owned by the Hungarian Corvin Chain Board, which established its headquarters there after the renovation was completed in early 2023.
With a mission centered on promoting culture, arts, and science, the Corvin Chain Board has opened the villa to the public, offering a variety of cultural, artistic, and scientific programs. As part of the restoration, innovative digital technologies were incorporated to narrate the villa’s history, the legacy of the Tisza family, and to introduce members of the Corvin Chain Board.
The Building:
Constructed in the 1890s as the residence of the Roheim family, the villa boasts numerous architectural features of historical and aesthetic significance, both inside and out.
The Tisya Family:
In the 1910s, the Tisza family became tenants on the villa’s lower floor. Notably, the villa was the site of the assassination of former Hungarian Prime Minister István Tisza in 1918, an event of considerable historical importance.
Holders of the Corvin Chain:
Since 1930, the Corvin Chain award has recognized individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Hungarian science, literature, art, and the promotion of Hungarian culture.
Challenges:
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Maintaining a Consistent Graphical Look: Achieving an unified and elegant visual style across diverse content was crucial. The design of the Magic Wall had to harmonize with both the architectural refinement of the villa and the distinguished character of the Corvin Chain.
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Integrating Modern Technology with Historic Architecture: Incorporating advanced digital displays and interactive features within a historic building presented the challenge of enhancing the visitor experience without disrupting the building’s traditional atmosphere.
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Balancing Engagement and Information: Providing an interactive experience that is both engaging and educational required careful content design to maintain visitor interest while delivering meaningful knowledge.
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Ensuring Accessibility for Diverse Audiences: The interactive elements had to be intuitive and accessible to a broad range of users, accommodating varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Product Description:
The Roheim Villa features two Magic Walls:
The Magic Wall, consisting of six 55-inch displays arranged side by side, measures approximately 1.2 meters by 4.2 meters and is installed in the villa’s central hall on the first floor, the main entry point for visitors. All technical hardware is discreetly housed in a separate room behind the installation.
The Mobile Magic Wall is a large 86-inch screen mounted on a mobile stand, allowing it to be relocated anywhere within the building as required. It presents the same content as the primary Magic Wall.
Both Magic Walls deliver identical content, introducing visitors to the Corvin Chain Board members and award holders, narrating the villa’s history, detailing the restoration process, and sharing the story of the Tisza family.
Main Features:
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Elegant Design: The Magic Walls’ visual design reflects the villa’s historical elegance. Every element is thoughtfully crafted to complement the refined architecture, creating a seamless integration of heritage and contemporary technology that enhances the visitor experience.
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Timeline Presentation: A chronological timeline showcases the history of Corvin Chain members, highlighting key events and milestones. This clear, structured format helps users contextualize the development and significance of the Corvin Chain.
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Interactive Knowledge Transfer: Beyond passive information delivery, the Magic Walls engage visitors through interactive quizzes and rich multimedia content, including text, images, and videos. This approach encourages exploration, critical thinking, and active learning, making the educational experience more immersive and memorable.
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Media Documentation: The restoration was meticulously documented through photographs and videos. Visitors can access this media on the Magic Walls to observe the detailed process of preserving the villa’s architectural heritage, gaining insight into the craftsmanship and dedication involved.
Results:
The installation of the Magic Walls at Roheim Villa has significantly enriched the visitor experience, transforming the villa into an interactive cultural and educational hub. The elegant design and cohesive graphical presentation were well received, effectively blending historical narrative with modern technology. The timeline feature proved valuable in communicating the Corvin Chain’s historical impact, while interactive quizzes increased visitor engagement and retention. The restoration media offered a compelling behind-the-scenes perspective, deepening visitor appreciation for the villa’s preservation. Overall, the Magic Walls have strengthened the villa’s role as a landmark for Hungarian culture,
arts, and science in line with the Corvin Chain Board’s mission.
Conclusion:
The restoration and modernization of Roheim Villa, highlighted by the integration of the Magic Walls,
exemplify a successful balance between heritage conservation and cutting-edge technology.
The project overcame challenges related to embedding digital displays in a historic setting and ensur-
ing broad accessibility. The Magic Walls function not only as informative exhibits but as dynamic,
interactive experiences that foster a deeper engagement with Hungary’s cultural heritage.
As the Corvin Chain Board continues to host diverse programs, Roheim Villa stands as a model for preserving history while embracing innovation, ensuring the legacy of the Tisza family and the Corvin Chain endures for future generations.