Virtual Reconstruction of Architectural Heritage: Preserving the Past in the Digital Age

This course on "Virtual Reconstruction of Architectural Heritage" offers students a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and monumental historic preservation. Through a combination of online lectures, on-site fieldwork, and interactive assignments, students will learn how to digitally reconstruct and preserve architectural heritage using advanced virtual reality and 3D modelling techniques. This immersive learning experience will equip students with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the preservation and interpretation of architectural heritage in the digital age.

The course is divided into three parts led by Pappal Suneja (PS) from Bauhaus Universität Weimar, and Miroslav Malinović (MM) and Maja Ilić (MI) from the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia.

The online part of the course covers knowledge of heritage survey, fieldwork, and analysis methods —   including basic information on materials, technologies, and assessment approaches. (MM). The second part of the online course deals with the documentation of architectural heritage as a result of the surveying process, leading to appropriate technical sheets and drawings required for the creation of 3D or virtual models. (PS). Finally, the third part of the online course summarises the methods for creating a 3D model of a building or facility that can be used as the basis for a virtual reality presentation, physical model, or other appropriate presentation techniques. (MI)

Prior to the on-site part of the Spring School, students will be given a template to select an architectural monument from their own cultural landscape and conduct the basic preparatory surveys.

On-site, students will continue to work on the documentation of their selected case studies and possibly learn about other similar cases in Weimar and the surrounding area through field trips. Professional, technical production of sheets, models and digital environment will be supervised in the classroom (PS & MM), while on the last day a suitable presentation technique for a temporary exhibition will be selected.

The intention is to motivate students to seek out valuable architectural heritage in their environment, document it, and present it to participants in order to share knowledge and raise awareness of heritage values and their importance to society. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge they need to further explore the topic of “Virtual Reconstruction of Architectural Heritage” during their studies and later in their professional careers.

NOTE:
This course includes an attendance phase in Weimar from March 14 to March 23, 2024.