Heritage Building Information Modelling Implementation First Steps Applied in a Castle Building: Historic Evolution Identity, Data Collection and Stratigraphic Modelling

Abstract

This research presents an application of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology to the preservation of buildings of historic value. The study of the built heritage encompasses several aspects: namely, the collection of information, the rigorous representation of the building, the identification of the applied traditional construction processes, and the classification of historic eras of construction, conservation or refurbishing. In a BIM context, the topic of old buildings is referred to as Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM). In order to illustrate the type of work that needs to be prepared, a building heritage case is presented. The study is focused on the identification of the historic evolution of a castle and the adjacent structural environment. The first step concerns the data collecting: several institutional repositories of old documents were consulted; technical visits to the site were performed; a large photographic survey was undertaken; and photogrammetry technology was applied. Based on the available information, the corresponding stratigraphic HBIM model of the historic complex was generated, which was associated with an accessible and well-organised database. This text aims to contribute positively to the dissemination of the HBIM in the preservation of historic buildings, and it is focused on a mandatory first step: generating a complete stratigraphic HBIM model. The model is intended to be a useful support to professionals to elaborate the preservation project, as it archives relevant data. The description of all processes from the data collection to the stratigraphic model brings an important understanding of the relevance of a primary stage performed with depth and care. This research contemplates, essentially, the topic of collecting data as essential to the performance of heritage studies.