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Thanks to its capability of archiving and organizing all the information about a building, HBIM (Historical Building Information Modeling) is considered a promising resource for planned conservation of historical assets. However, its usage remains limited and scarcely adopted by the subjects in charge of conservation, mainly because of its rather complex 3D modeling requirements and a lack of shared regulatory references and guidelines as far as semantic data are concerned. In this study, we developed an HBIM methodology to support documentation, management, and planned conservation of historic buildings, with particular focus on non-geometric information: organized and coordinated storage and management of historical data, easy analysis and query, time management, flexibility, user-friendliness, and information sharing. The system is based on a standalone specific-designed database linked to the 3D model of the asset, built with BIM software, and it is highly adaptable to different assets. The database is accessible both with a developed desktop application, which acts as a plug-in for the BIM software, and through a web interface, implemented to ensure data sharing and easy usability by skilled and unskilled users. The paper describes in detail the implemented system, passing by semantic breaking down of the building, database design, as well as system architecture and capabilities. Two case studies, the Cathedral of Parma and Ducal Palace of Mantua (Italy), are then presented to show the results of the system’s application.

The Italian building stock consists of buildings mainly constructed until the mid-20th century using pre-industrial construction techniques. These buildings require energy refurbishment that takes into account the preservation of their architectural heritage. In this view, this work studies an innovative integrated modelling and simulation framework consisting of the implementation of Historical Building Information Modeling (HBIM) for the energy retrofit of historical buildings with renewable geothermal HVAC system. To this aim, the field case study is part of a medieval complex in Central Italy (Perugia), as representative ancient rural offshore architecture in the European countryside. The system involves of a ground source heat pump, a water tank for thermal-energy storage connected to a low-temperature radiant system, and an air-handling unit. The building heating energy performance, typically influenced by thermal inertia in historical buildings, when coupled to the novel HVAC system, is comparatively assessed against a traditional scenario implementing a natural-gas boiler, and made inter-operative within the HBIM ad hoc platform. Results show that the innovative renewable energy system provides relevant benefits while preserving minor visual and architectural impact within the historical complex, and also in terms of both energy saving, CO2 emissions offset, and operation costs compared to the traditional existing system. The integrated HBIM approach may effectively drive the path toward regeneration and re-functioning of heritage in Europe.

This handbook holistically summarises the principles for the energy retrofitting of historic buildings, from the first diagnosis to the adequately designed intervention: preservation of the historic structure, user comfort, and energy efficiency. The content was developed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. The wide range of different expertise, design examples, calculations, and measuring results from eight case studies makes this manual an indispensable tool for all architects, engineers, and energy consultants.

During preliminary phases of conservation projects, a considerable amount of heterogeneous datasets are produced, gathered, analysed and interpreted. Abundant researches have gradually proven that Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is a relevant alternative for the collaborative management of information related to existing structures. Apart from the obvious benefits of HBIM for information exchange among stakeholders during conservation project, the potential of such processes to support preservation strategies should not be neglected. Moreover, the recent developments of HBIM web-interfaces illustrate the need for additional investigation in strengthening the relationships between the digital model and the real-world to better support preventive conservation of heritage places. Besides, values-based approaches for the elaboration of conservation strategies have been gradually adopted in the last decades, both in academic and professional sector. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive methodology to structure and integrate the cultural significance of tangible and intangible elements into HBIM models to be further taken into account in the analysis and simulation of data. This article suggests the application of Digital Twin (DT) principles to support site managers in the preventive conservation of their assets. Based on the analysis and simulations of data captured by onsite sensors, threats to the site integrity and corresponding preventive solution can be predicted in the DT environment. The integration and structuration of Heritage Values in HBIM models allow further evaluation process to estimate the impact of each suggested interventions on the conservation of features of significance.

This research investigates the utilisation of the scan-to-HBIM-to-XR process and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry to improve the depiction of archaeological ruins, specifically focusing on the Claudius Anio Novus aqueduct in Tor Fiscale Park, Rome. UAV photogrammetry is vital in capturing detailed aerial imagery of the aqueduct and its surroundings. Drones with high-resolution cameras acquire precise and accurate data from multiple perspectives. Subsequently, the acquired data are processed to generate orthophotos, drawings and historic building information modelling (HBIM) of the aqueduct, contributing to the future development of a digital twin. Virtual and augmented reality (VR-AR) technology is then employed to create an immersive experience for users. By leveraging XR, individuals can virtually explore and interact with the aqueduct, providing realistic and captivating visualisation of the archaeological site. The successful application of the scan-to-HBIM-to-XR process and UAV photogrammetry demonstrates their potential to enhance the representation of building archaeology. This approach contributes to the conservation of cultural heritage, enables educational and tourism opportunities and fosters novel research avenues for the comprehension and experience of ancient structures.

Climate change is threatening an uncalculated number of archaeological sites globally, totaling perhaps hundreds of thousands of culturally and paleoenvironmentally significant resources. As with all archaeological sites, they provide evidence of humanity’s past and help us understand our place in the present world. Coastal sites, clustered at the water’s edge, are already experiencing some of the most dramatic damage due to anthropogenic climate change, and the situation is predicted to worsen in the future. In the face of catastrophic loss, organizations around the world are developing new ways of working with this threatened coastal resource. This paper uses three examples from Scotland, Florida, and Maine to highlight how new partnerships and citizen science approaches are building communities of practice to better manage threatened coastal heritage. It compares methods on either side of the Atlantic and highlights challenges and solutions. The approaches are applicable to the increasing number of heritage sites everywhere at risk from climate change; the study of coastal sites thus helps society prepare for climate change impacts to heritage worldwide.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a globally adapted methodology by government organisations and builders who conceive the integration of the organisation, planning, development and the digital construction model into a single project. In the case of a heritage building, the Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) approach is able to cover the comprehensive restoration of the building. In contrast to BIM applied to new buildings, HBIM can address different models which represent either periods of historical interpretation, restoration phases or records of heritage assets over time. Great efforts are currently being made to automatically reconstitute the geometry of cultural heritage elements from data acquisition techniques such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) or Structure From Motion (SfM) into BIM (Scan-to-BIM). Hence, this work advances on the parametric modelling from remote sensing point cloud data, which is carried out under the Rhino+Grasshopper-ArchiCAD combination. This workflow enables the automatic conversion of TLS and SFM point cloud data into textured 3D meshes and thus BIM objects to be included in the HBIM project. The accuracy assessment of this workflow yields a standard deviation value of 68.28 pixels, which is lower than other author’s precision but suffices for the automatic HBIM of the case study in this research.

In the architectural heritage field, a complete and in-depth knowledge of the assets is indispensable for any restoration and conservation strategy. In this context, the Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) technique is gaining much interest in supporting the diagnostic phase and the design and management of conservation activities. The HBIM provides opportunities to collect, organize and integrate information coming from different sources, inspections, and diagnosis techniques as well as to use standardized and effective tools for orienting cultural heritage asset management. This study addresses the challenges of developing HBIM for large-scale assets, that require adapting the conventional workflow to deliver results in a reasonable time. To this aim, a novel procedure involving a fit-for-purpose Inventory form and a scan-to-BIM approach is proposed. The data acquisition process is speeded up using multiple surveying techniques, and the modelling and information phases benefit from the interoperability among different tools that are already known by professionals in the field. As such, the main innovation lies in the ability to oversee the entire process through a single software, ensuring centralized and efficient control. This innovative process has been applied to investigate a significant portion of the city walls of Pisa, proving its ability to support the decision-making phase for planned conservation of large-scale architectural heritage. The emphasis is on the all-encompassing, interdisciplinary understanding of the assets across different scales. The suggested approach ensures a swift yet precise and reliable outcome in the diagnostic process and facilitating the critical temporal assessments and the review of information by any actor involved in the conservation.

The highest challenge of energy efficiency of building stock is achieving improved performance in existing buildings and, especially, in heritage buildings which per se are characterized by massive limitations against the implementation of the most sophisticated solutions for energy saving. In Italy, historical buildings represent more than 30% of the building stock and the vast majority require energy retrofit, while ensuring the preservation of the heritage value and acceptable comfort conditions. In this context, historical buildings must be retrofitted and re-functioned by introducing innovative technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption and improving human comfort, health, and safety. To this aim, this study implements the Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) approach for the integrated modeling, monitoring, management, and maintenance of a novel geothermal system involving horizontal ground source heat exchangers (GHEXs) coupled to an adsorption heat pump for the energy refurbishment of historical buildings. In detail, a rural building part of a medieval complex in Perugia, Central Italy, is considered as a pilot case study. The analysis stresses the potential of the Facility Management (FM) applications of HBIM to provide a tool for the human-centric operational management control of the building energy performance and indoor comfort when combined with the building monitoring and supervision system. Therefore, this integrated HBIM approach may drive the path towards the user-centric re-functioning of heritage buildings.

Preserving historical architectural structures is crucial for safeguarding cultural heritage. This study explores the application of Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) to enhance the documentation process of the Ghiqa Historical Market in Saudi Arabia, a monument known for its intricate architecture and cultural significance. Traditional documentation methods often fail to capture detailed features accurately and rely on labour-intensive manual processes. HBIM uses advanced digital technologies to improve precision, efficiency, and preservation efforts. In this study, point cloud data from 3D laser scanning is used to create a detailed digital model of the market, covering structural systems, material attributes, architectural features, and historical context. The research also integrates historical archives and photographs to enrich the model with additional contextual information. This comprehensive approach provides a holistic understanding of the Ghiqa Historical Market, aiding accurate preservation and restoration decisions. HBIM offers several advantages in architectural documentation. The digital model enhances visualization, allowing stakeholders to explore the site from multiple perspectives. It also serves as a tool for analysing structural integrity, identifying potential risks, and planning restoration interventions. Moreover, digital documentation ensures effective knowledge transfer across generations, preserving valuable architectural heritage for future reference and research. Additionally, it promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, historians, conservators, and other stakeholders involved in preservation. Including the Ghiqa Historical Market in the UNESCO World Heritage List would highlight its global significance, attracting international attention and resources for its preservation. This designation would underscore the market’s cultural and historical importance, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility in its maintenance. The implementation of Heritage BIM demonstrates its potential to revolutionize heritage conservation by combining diverse data sources into a single, detailed, and accessible digital resource.