From 3D Data to XR Experiences: 3DBigDataSpace Celebrates Its Final Milestone in Poznań
Published on 17 Jul 2026
Final Showcase Event and Consortium Meeting Highlight the Future of Europe’s Digital Cultural Heritage Ecosystem
On 30 June 2026, partners of the 3DBigDataSpace project gathered at the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) in Poznań, Poland, for the project’s final consortium meeting. The meeting provided an opportunity to review key achievements, discuss final results, and define next steps for sustaining the impact of the 3DBigDataSpace ecosystem.
The following day, 1 July 2026, more than 100 participants joined the hybrid forum “From 3D Data to XR Experiences: Forum on the Future of Cultural Heritage Technologies”, the project’s Final Showcase Event. Organised in collaboration with XRculture and 3D-4CH – Online Competence Centre in 3D for Cultural Heritage, the event explored how 3D data spaces, AI-supported digitisation, and immersive technologies are shaping the future of Europe’s digital cultural heritage landscape.
Watch the full event recording
Revisit the discussions, presentations, and insights from experts across Europe.
Reflecting on the 3DBigDataSpace Journey
Over the course of the project, the consortium worked to make high-quality 3D cultural heritage data more discoverable, interoperable, and reusable. Through the development of tools, workflows, training activities, and community initiatives, 3DBigDataSpace helped lay the foundations for a more connected European 3D cultural heritage ecosystem.
Project Coordinator Sander Münster highlighted how the initiative transformed fragmented 3D resources into accessible digital assets that support researchers, educators, cultural institutions, and creative communities across Europe.
Highlights from the Final Showcase
The event featured a keynote by Valentine Charles (Europeana Foundation) on the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, emphasising the importance of shared standards and sustainable infrastructures.
Image credits: PCSS
Image credits: PCSS
Partners also demonstrated a range of 3DBigDataSpace tools and real-world applications, including:
- FBK – Mesh Optimizer, Point Cloud Classification Toolbox, and 3D GeoRef
- PCSS – Level of Detail techniques, Mesh Geolocalisation, Pipeline Runner, and 4D visualisation tools
- FSU Jena – Cross-domain enrichment workflows
- Hunt Museum – Educational applications of 3D heritage resources
- 3D Pilgrim App – Digital storytelling and cultural tourism experiences
Live demonstrations throughout the day allowed participants to engage directly with the technologies and discuss practical implementation challenges with project partners.
Synergy Call Winners
A key afternoon session showcased projects supported through the 3DBigDataSpace Open Calls, introduced by Beatrice Vaienti.
Featured initiatives included:
- Portomarín Virtual
- 1911 International Exposition
- Time Machine Ruppendorf: Water Castle
- The Golden Bond: Unfolding the Kapulukaya Hoard
These projects demonstrated how interoperable 3D heritage data can support innovative approaches to research, preservation, education, and public engagement.
Image Credits: PCSS
Image Credits: PCSS
From 3D Data to Immersive XR Experiences
The XRculture Showcase focused on transforming 3D cultural heritage assets into immersive experiences through:
- AI-supported digitisation workflows
- Advanced 3D asset management and visualisation
- Real-world XR deployment scenarios
Together, the presentations illustrated the full journey from digital capture to meaningful visitor experiences.
A Shared Vision for Europe’s Digital Heritage Future
The closing panel discussion, “Beyond the Horizon: A Unified Roadmap for Europe’s 3D Cultural Heritage”, brought together representatives from Europeana Foundation, 3DBigDataSpace, XRculture, and 3D-4CH.
The panel explored the complete lifecycle of digital cultural heritage, from 3D data creation and AI-driven enrichment to XR experiences and long-term sustainable reuse, while identifying future opportunities for collaboration across European initiatives.
A Foundation for the Future
While the Poznań events marked the formal conclusion of the 3DBigDataSpace project, they also demonstrated the strength of the community that has grown around Europe’s 3D cultural heritage ecosystem.
The collaboration between 3DBigDataSpace, XRculture, and 3D-4CH confirms that the future of digital heritage lies in connecting data spaces, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies through sustainable European infrastructures.
We thank all speakers, partners, contributors, and participants who joined us in Poznań and helped celebrate this important milestone.
Read the official press release
A concise overview of the Final Showcase Event and consortium achievements.