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IMMERSIVE WORLDS | BEYOND.PLACE | 2023


BEYOND.PLACE was founded in 2023 by Simon Husslein and Arne Magold to create one-of-a-kind worlds for immersive experiences.

Virtual reality experiences often aim to replicate physical spaces. This can create a sense of realism that can also feel deceptive and unauthentic.

We create VR native environments that are beyond physical representation. Our abstract designs are easily identifiable as virtual and can therefore be enjoyed for what they are.

We use complex procedural codes and AI to create unique solutions. Our technology enables real-time collaboration.

Find out more on https://beyond.place
Creative Direction: Simon Husslein

Images: BEYOND.PLACE











THE OTHER HOME | VR installation | HEAD – Genève | 2023


"The Other Home" is a VR project that explores the expansion of the concept of "home" into the digital realm. The word "home" typically refers to a physical structure in which a person lives, such as a house or apartment. However, the psychological and architectural qualities of digital "homes" are still being explored and defined.

In this project, a group of 17 students envisioned and created nine different VR worlds that were published on the social VR platform VRChat. All environments share a playful and experimental refinement of atmospheric quality and symbolism. To create these worlds, the students compared and applied various experiences from both physical and virtual environments.



Students taking part in the exhibition: Mélanie Affolter, Melissa Bitto, Dylan Braun, Luna Clertan, Minna Compoint, Yaroslav Dubeniuk, Ilena Escher, Clara Faure, Lea Gruaz, Tal Kashi, Elena Llosas, Paul Rigal, Stéphanie Pereira Sacramento, Anna Smiian, Fanny Tauxe, Lou Vanille Tissot-Daguette, Elisa Torres Ferreira.
Under the direction of Simon Husslein, with the assistance of Damien Greder

Images & videos: HEAD – Genève

HEAD – Genève:
Director: Lada Umstätter
Head of Department: Javier F. Contreras
Scientific Deputy: Valentina De Luigi

Unity teachers: Charles Chatas, Simon Senn







THE IMPOSSIBLE SHOWROOM | VR installation | HEAD – Genève | 2022


The exhibition presented a novel typology of virtual reality environments designed to showcase furniture pieces by Swiss designers. Developed in collaboration with students from the Master of Arts in Interior Architecture (MAIA) program at HEAD – Genève, the VR spaces on display offered visitors an immersive experience that transcended the limitations of physical representation. This groundbreaking installation was featured at the 'House of Switzerland' during the Milan Design Week 2022.

Students taking part in the exhibition: Nell Beller, Emma Birbaud, Kevin Chellakudam, Thomas Dreux, Samia Hilal, Vilma Hubalek, Valeria Lydia Kraehenbuehl, Emma Launay, Lisa Maahsen, Camila Perna, Sandy Pitetti, Anaïs Youssefi.


Publication ENTERING THE ROOM with VOLUME MAGAZINE.
Download an extract HERE.
Under the direction of Simon Husslein, with the assistance of Damien Greder, Dany Champion, Pablo Brenas

Photos: HEAD – Genève, Guillaume Collignon and Morgan Carlier

Video: HEAD – Genève, Jimmy Roura

HEAD – Genève:
Director: Jean-Pierre Greff
Head of Department: Javier F. Contreras
Scientific Deputy: Valentina De Luigi


3D Programming: Arne Magold
Sound: Benjamin Gueit
Textiles: Visual Society
Graphic design of the exhibition: Ismaël Abdallah & Constance Jacob

















WORK AND INNOVATION | VR installation | HES-SO Genève | 2022


The project explores how virtual reality might offer opportunities to improve various professions. The 13 presented ideas include jobs such as fashion designer, architect, archivist, marketing analyst, and musician. The designs of the virtual environments are created beyond the visual vocabulary of physical representation, introducing an ‘abstract' design typology.

The project has been exhibited at ‘Cité des Métiers’ in Geneva, the largest fair for jobs and training courses in Switzerland.

Students of the Interior Architecture department at HEAD – Genève taking part in the development of the VR spaces: Oxana Streit, Gyeonghwan Hwang

Collaborating schools:

Haute école de musique de Genève, HEM, Gilbert Nouno, Philippe Spiesser, David Poissonnier, Thibaud Cardonnet, Students: Jaouen Rudolf, Nikolai Ivanov, Benjamin Gueit, Eloïse Fares

Haute école de gestion de Genève, HEG, Rene Schneider, Vincent de Vevey, Sabine Emad, Students: Mira Buzanszky, Youri Hanne, Lena Ugaz, Louis Andres Boixader, Dina Andriamahady, Kelvin Lee Ho Lam, Fanny Maillard, Benjamin Henrioud, Yan Tavares

Haute école de travail social de Genève, HETS, Marco de Monte, César Humerose, Students: Haeika Chevallier, Lisa Creti

Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecture de Genève, HEPIA, Yves Leuzinger, Dr. Yassin Aziz Rekik, Students: Oxana Streit, Gyeonghwan Hwang

Haute école de santé de Genève, HEdS, Aurèle Sagne, Paul Bobbink, Carole Guex, Students: Léonard Grangier, Mélanie Houzelle

Haute École d'Art et de Design, HEAD, Jasmina Barshovi, Students: Emma Birbaud, Clémence Lablancherie, Lucie Guiragossian, Quentin Langlet
Under the direction of Simon Husslein, with the assistance of Damien Greder

Images: HEAD – Genève

HEAD – Genève:
Director: Jean-Pierre Greff
Dean of Space Design: Dr Javier F. Contreras
Scientific Deputy: Valentina De Luigi

HES-SO Genève:
Director: François Abbé Decarroux
Information & Communication: Aline Yazgi
‘Cité des Métiers’ project leader: Manon Thomas

Students of the Interior Architecture department at HEAD – Genève taking part in the previous semester project: Gyeonghwan Hwang, Oxana Streit, Shanna Bennet, Tania Bersier, Audrey Besanceney, Emma Birbaud, Juliette Colomb, Pauline Gueissaz, Clémence Lablancherie, Tomislav Levak, Antoine Matta, Astrid Mayer, Thu Trang Nguyen, Etienne Poncet, Elioth Puthod, Nora Rhyner, Chloé Rouhling, Louise Tjittes, Kirill Vinokurov











BEYOND MEMORY | VR installation | HEAD – Genève | 2021


The project explores the potential of virtual environments created beyond the visual vocabulary of physical representation. With the use of state-of-the-art software and hardware, the VR installation BEYOND MEMORY creates entirely new typologies of places. These spaces are designed as working environments and might be described as “abstract”. Because they are easily identifiable as "virtual", they can be accepted and appreciated for what they are.

Students taking part in the exhibition: Shana Bennett, Tania Bersier, Audrey Besanceney, Emma Birbaud, Juliette Colomb, Pauline Gueissaz, Gyeonghwan Hwang, Clémence Lablancherie, Tomislav Levak, Antoine Matta, Astrid Mayer, Thu Trang Nguyen, Etienne Poncet, Elioth Puthod, Nora Rhyner, Chloé Rouhling, Oxana Streit, Maya Louise Tjittes, Kirill Vinokurov.
Under the direction of Simon Husslein, with the assistance of Damien Greder


Images: HEAD – Genève

HEAD – Genève:
Director: Jean-Pierre Greff
Head of Department: Javier F. Contreras
Scientific Deputy: Valentina De Luigi
Visiting tutors: Kai Reaver, Isabella Pasqualini