Stoneborn: The Path of the Giant
Stoneborn: The Path of the Giant
A project by Lara Hess, Mohammed Najm & Varvara Trubitsina
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Paul Grimm & Prof. Thomas Bedenk
Project done in Study Semester 5 | Winter 2025/2026
About the Project
Stoneborn is a location-based Augmented Reality experience that transforms a visit to the Felsenmeer into a myth-inspired journey of discovery. Developed in cooperation with the Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald, the project combines geology, history and local legend within an interactive narrative that takes place directly in the landscape.
The experience begins when the Spirit of the Giant appears and asks visitors to help rebuild his body. As users search for suitable locations and reconstruct the Giant, they encounter information about the geological formation and history of the Felsenmeer. The process turns learning into an active task, allowing visitors to discover information while taking part in the Giant's revival.
Once the Giant has been rebuilt, visitors can take a photograph with their individual creation while hearing his version of the Felsenmeer myth. Each visitor can therefore create a different Giant using their own choices and imagination, making the final result personal to their experience.
The experience is designed primarily for children who may find conventional information signs less engaging, while also offering families an interactive activity along the path. Rather than requiring visitors to concentrate on lengthy written information, Stoneborn encourages them to observe the surroundings, find a suitable revival and photo location, and interact with the landscape.
The experience is designed to be accessible to first-time AR users and suitable for outdoor terrain. Its short, stationary interactions prioritise safety and awareness of the physical environment. The combination of guided interaction and individual choices gives users freedom while maintaining a clear narrative.
Stoneborn brings together mythological storytelling and fact-based information, connecting local folklore with scientific knowledge. By combining AR, exploration and personal creation, the project encourages visitors to view the Felsenmeer not only as a landscape of rocks, but also as a place shaped by geological time, human activity and imagination.
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