About Memory Ball
Our Mission
In today's digital age, our personal stories and experiences contribute significantly to our collective cultural heritage. However, these digital narratives risk being lost over time without intentional preservation.
Memory Ball transforms your smartphone into a portal to these collective memories at the Theo Thijssenhuis (TTH), the heart of design innovation at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
Despite TTH's modern renovation for design programs and research, the personal narratives within its walls remain largely untold. Memory Ball aims to preserve these stories and create a living digital archive of the building's evolving identity.
The Building
At the right angles to the Kohnstamm building, an addition was built in the 1970s that serves as the archive of Central Tax Authorities. During the renovation, a number of corridors between the two building were demolished and one floor remained connected.
This created a passageway to the Kohnstammhof which became accessible and visible to the outside world. The former archive building was named the Theo Thijssen building after the Amsterdam writer, teacher and socialist politician - Theodorus Johannes Thijssen.
The Faculty of Education shares this building with the Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries and the Faculty of Technology. Between 2019 and 2022, next to the Theo Thijssen building, the Jakoba Mulder building was built with a beautiful atrium with fanning balconies.
Project Journey
Project Inception
Memory Ball was conceived as a way to preserve the digital heritage of the Amsterdam and connect its past with its present and future.
Research & Development
The designer began collecting stories, researching and designing the interactive experience that would become Memory Ball.
Initial Launch at TTH
Memory Ball was officially launched at the Theo Thijssenhuis, inviting students, faculty, and staff to explore and contribute to the growing archive.
Memory Ball Prototype
The prototype pictures below show a map of the Amsterdam with memories of the designer from September 2023 till January 2024. Similarly, the memory ball prototype for TTH's legacy will represent a miniature map of the Theo Thijssenhuis and surrounding area, creating a physical connection to the digital memories stored within our platform.
Join the Memory Ball Community
Step into Theo Thijssenhuis, connect with its past, and shape its future through your memories. Become a part of Amsterdam's unfolding story.
The Team
Iskander Smit
Project Mentor
Muskan Jain
Product Designer