Holovis has created an augmented reality (AR) app for the new 360-degree experience at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, UK.

A Liverpool icon, the Royal Liver Building has undergone a virtual transformation to immerse visitors in the city's rich culture and history. It now features a visitor centre offering visitors a stunning 360-degree view of the Liverpool city scape, as well a projection mapped show, designed by Holovis' in-house studio Holovis Creative, which utilises the building's Clock Tower and features 270-degree visuals. Surround audio, with original scoring and sound effects, delivered through a 5:1 solution completes the experience.

The app, designed to extend and enhance the guest experience, acts as a guide with guests simply holding their phone over the city scape to reveal information about local landmarks in their view.

It also offers 20 interactive 'moments', starting in the visitor centre and then placed throughout the entire experience, that transform photos into videos, unlock voice over narratives and showcase images from key periods in history.

Additionally, the app users AR to bring the two Liver Birds - a mythical hybrid of eagle and cormorant - to life. Visitors will be able to interact with the birds and immediately share their images and videos on social media.

Peter Cliff, creative director at Holovis, said: "The discoveries that guests make in the visitor centre allow them to customise their vist, by unlocking more secrets that are akin to their interests. As they progress on the 360 experience, the moments from the app perfectly compliment the narrative of their guide, which is as entertaining as it is educational."

"We have added a layer of adventure and gamification to the experience, which encourafges visitors to further engage. It has also given the attraction an exciting digital platform, without the need for expensive and sometimes impractical screens, especially when working in a Grade I-listed building."

"The app is a great addition to the experience that is helping guests get more immersed into the history of the building and the wider story of the glorious city of Liverpool."