Towards a framework for projection installations

Projection installations are part of Spatially Augmented Reality, where the projection medium is used to enrich a fixed, bounded physical space with digital content. Projection technology enables us to turn many kinds of physical objects into displays. In this paper we develop and present a conceptual framework that addresses three aspects of a projection installation: the contentassociated with the object, the digital content, and the relation between the two. We conclude the paper with a set of strategies commonly used in projection installations: Enhancing or emphasizing physical aspects; Transforming materiality; Adding virtual objects; 3D effects; Complex content on simple objects or simple content on complex; Strong versus loose connections between the physical object and the digital content. This paper is based on four cases, two of which concern cultural heritage installations, the others concerning urban computing, including media architecture.