Facilities

Spaces that Drive Research, Creativity, and Learning

The Digital Worlds Institute (DW) at the University of Florida provides cutting-edge teaching, research, and production facilities designed to empower creativity, collaboration, and technological innovation. Our spaces foster interdisciplinary work across game design and development, animation, virtual production, and emerging technologies, connecting students, faculty, and industry professionals in a dynamic ecosystem of discovery.

Polymodal Immersive Classroom Theater (PICT) 

A panoramic hybrid learning environment designed for interactive storytelling, real-time visualization, and networked performance experiences. PICT merges ultra-widescreen media, interactive simulations, video game technology, and live digital performance, creating a transformative space for both education and research. It serves as a testbed for next-generation immersive media, preparing students for spatial computing and AI-driven content creation. 

Virtual Production Studio (VPS) 

An innovative, content creation space featuring an advanced Vū LED virtual production wall, an immersive green screen environment, 50-foot cyclorama wall, and an integrated motion capture system. This high-tech studio enables real-time virtual cinematography, audio content production, and collaborative workflows between on-campus and remote industry partners. Supporting AI-enhanced filmmaking, interactive storytelling, and traditional studio practice, the VPS prepares students for the rapidly evolving media and entertainment industries. 

The GYM – Production & Collaboration Hub 

A versatile studio-classroom hybrid, the GYM is a sandbox for creativity where online and in-person students gain fluency in both physical and virtual production. Designed to accommodate time-based digital media and extended reality (XR) content creation, the GYM fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, ensuring students are well-versed in the converging landscapes of film, animation, gaming, and interactive experiences.  

Reality Lab – Immersive Technology & Research Lab 

A state-of-the-art AR/VR research facility, the Reality Lab is home to Masters in Digital Arts & Sciences (MiDAS) students and serves as a hub for spatial computing, AI-driven interaction, and immersive experience design. Equipped with high-performance Alienware workstations and the latest headsets from Meta, HTC, Magic Leap, and Apple, this lab supports projects across entertainment, education, healthcare, and enterprise applications. As Web3, AI, and XR redefine human-computer interaction, the Reality Lab is where students and researchers prototype the future of digital engagement.

ORC Lab

Located within the Norman Gym, this dedicated computer area provides students with high-powered workstations designed for digital content creation and 3D rendering. The area features eight high-performance VR-ready machines, equipped with Wacom drawing tablets, ensuring students have the tools necessary to complete academic assignments and research projects.