Building History 3.0

An interactive exploration of the Japanese American incarceration camps in Minecraft

“Building History 3.0 began when high school student Gabriel Tajima-Peña visited Heart Mountain, where his grandmother had been incarcerated during World War II. Inspired by the bravery of his grandmother and other former incarcerees, Gabe interviewed them, read online materials, and closely studied the Heart Mountain exhibits. He soon realized how important it was to preserve this history. Then, he had an idea: he could recreate Heart Mountain for other kids to explore in Minecraft!”

Have fun and learn from Gabe’s project here.


The incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II also forms the background for Beauty In Enormous Bleakness, an exploration of the lives and work of four California-born Japanese American architects—Richard Henmi, Gyo Obata, George Matsumoto, and Fred Toguchi, who were released from incarceration to study architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. Beauty in Enormous Bleakness is also featured in this season of arcCA DIGEST.