❯ cat projects/vvexplore.md
VVEXplore
Client · The Portal · 2026
An interactive map and run-of-show app for the crews who run festivals and live events, replacing a 40-column spreadsheet, a static PDF site plan and a set of group chats.
- my part
- Design & development.
- stack
- Next.js, React, TypeScript, Google Maps API, Google Sheets, Google Apps Script, Firebase, Data pipelines, PWA
- links
- Live app, Studio case study
## context
The Portal is an experiential design and production studio. Its crews run festivals and live events off a 40-column spreadsheet, a static PDF site plan and a set of group chats.
## challenge
The chats go stale the moment the schedule changes during a show, and production teams don't want a new CMS in the last weeks before an event. They already work in spreadsheets, Google Drive and chat.
## what i built
A Next.js, React and TypeScript app built for a phone in the field: a geofenced Google Maps venue map beside a live run-of-show timeline. Access is split by role (Admin, Lead, Vendor, Guest), so guest programming and back-of-house logistics stay on separate screens. On the day, a Now / Next board shows what's happening and what's next, and people star a personal agenda.
## approach & trade-offs
The master Google Sheet stays the database. A Google Apps Script watches it and syncs schedule changes, venue coordinates and crew rosters to Firebase as they happen, and provisions a Google Calendar and a Workspace group for each department along the way. A service worker with IndexedDB keeps the schedule on the device when the site has almost no signal.
## outcome
One edit in the sheet is the edit on the map, the timeline and the calendars.
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