Mixed Reality Studio at ACE Chalmers × Chalmers Next Labs Urban Analytics
Chalmers University of Technology is expanding its capabilities in digitalization and urban innovation through the Mixed Reality (MR) Studio at the Division of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE). This initiative is now entering a new phase through a collaboration with Chalmers Next Labs (CNL), where the studio will operate within the Urban Analytics Lab as a platform for co-creation, experimentation, and external engagement.
The MR Studio was launched and developed within ACE by an interdisciplinary team combining expertise in immersive environments, urban analytics, and applied innovation. The initiative brings together Sanjay Somanath (creative direction and visualization), Jorge Gil (Urban Data Analytics), Liane Thuvander (co-design), and Sara Abouebeid (use case development and collaborations), forming a strong foundation for bridging design, technology, and societal applications.
From Visualization to Co-Creation
The Mixed Reality Studio enables immersive exploration of complex urban systems—transforming data, models, and scenarios into interactive experiences. Rather than simply visualizing cities, the studio allows stakeholders to step inside digital twins, test ideas, and engage with future scenarios in a shared environment. This creates new opportunities for participatory processes and collaborative decision-making across domains such as energy systems, mobility, circularity, and spatial planning. By making data tangible and accessible, the studio supports a deeper understanding of trade-offs and system interactions.
A platform operated by Chalmers Next Labs
Through its integration into Chalmers Next Labs Urban Analytics, the MR Studio becomes an open platform for collaboration with industry, municipalities, startups, and public sector organizations. CNL will organize workshops, co-creation sessions, and applied research activities, focusing on the development of digital layers for data visualization and public engagement. The aim is to bridge the gap between advanced research and real-world applications, enabling partners to explore, prototype, and validate new solutions in an immersive environment.
Towards Tangible Interfaces for Urban Systems
A key goal of the collaboration is to move beyond visualization toward tangible and interactive interfaces for urban systems. This includes:
- Real-time visualization of energy, mobility, and environmental data
- Participatory tools for stakeholder and citizen engagement
- Scenario-based environments for planning and decision-making
- Immersive digital twins for districts, campuses, and developments
Open Call for Collaboration
The Mixed Reality Studio is now open to organizations interested in exploring new ways of interacting with urban data and systems.
We invite partners to collaborate on:
- Prototyping digital twin applications
- Developing data-driven services and interfaces
- Testing participatory planning approaches
- Developing new forms of communication and decision-support tools
This collaboration aims to bridge research, technology, and practice—transforming data into shared experiences and enabling more informed, inclusive, and innovative urban development.