Virtual chemistry laboratory
A virtual tour of an early 20th-century chemistry laboratory at ETH Zurich brings the history of science to life. Faithfully recreated rooms and their historical apparatus can be viewed virtually – remotely or on-site in the partially preserved laboratory
The virtual tour is available in German only.
The journey to the previous millennium can be embarked on either remotely or on-site in the partially preserved laboratory. A VR headset (e.g. Oculus Quest), a smartphone, tablet or PC is all you need to experience the conditions under which scientific research was conducted at the dawn of the 20th century.
Three separate 360° panoramic views allow you to take in the historic laboratory. Each panorama is enriched with audio commentaries and information points that provide interesting details on a variety of topics:
- the history and architecture of the listed building and of the history of chemistry at ETH Zurich
- teaching of, and research into, coal-tar dyes, an important field in the 19th century
- remodelling and repurposing of the laboratory
- current use of the space
Reconstructed using historical images and floor plans from the collections and archives of ETH Zurich and the ETH Library, this laboratory dedicated to organic chemistry – together with all its inventory and laboratory equipment – has been recreated true to the original for this virtual adventure tour. The great hall is the only partially preserved laboratory in the building. Planned in 1886 by the professors of architecture Alfred F. Bluntschli and Georg Lasius in collaboration with two chemistry professors, it was the first building in Zurich to feature exposed bricks. However, over the years the impressive hall was remodelled and repurposed on several occasions. Today, it serves students as a study area.
The virtual tour was developed in collaboration with an employee of the Chair of Building Archaeology and Construction History and the companies external pageikonaut and external pageLUDIC.