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Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 12644

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Juan Enrique Nieto-Julián

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Guest Editor

Department of Graphical Expression and Building Engineering, University of Seville, Ave. Reina Mercedes 4A, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: building information modelling; construction technology; BIM; heritage digital twin; HBIM (heritage building information modeling); IT architecture; heritage conservation; conservation and restoration of cultural heritage; architectural drawings; architecture; construction

Dr. Juan J. Moyano

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Guest Editor

Department of Graphical Expression and Building Engineering, University of Seville, Ave. Reina Mercedes 4A, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: energy efficiency in building; architectural history; energy saving; green building; sustainable architecture; architecture; building technology; sustainable construction; BIM; construction project management

Dr. Silvana Bruno

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: building diagnostics; digital survey; historic building information modelling; virtual reality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Addressing archaeological, architectural and artistic heritage requires different phases that include study, knowledge, and the precise and rigorous obtainment of documents that aid in the preservation of cultural assets, whether movable or immovable. Therefore, the preservation and restoration of our Cultural Heritage (CH) requires the application of the most innovative, precise and effective techniques so that the intervention is sustainable and lasts for a long time. However, sound historical information is as important as reliable graphic documentation and 3D reconstruction, which support data transfer for research, conservation or heritage dissemination purposes.

Currently, evaluating the topography of the site or monument, carrying out surveys using photogrammetric techniques or employing scans taken by aerial and terrestrial equipment are common in any intervention related to Cultural Heritage. All these measurement and representation techniques share the ability to faithfully transmit the material reality of the cultural assets that we want to know and preserve. Valid data in the scan-to-BIM process help to create 3D models that conform to built surfaces. However, this process is still fraught with great challenges. One is the fact that the data sets are interoperable between the different operators and software aggregates that exist in the academic community.

In order to solve the different knowledge gaps regarding the application of innovative, efficient and sustainable methodologies in cultural heritage in general, the Editorial Office of MDPI’s journal Buildings is presenting a Special Issue entitled “Digital Technology Application in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings”. In addition to the digitization of objects in faithful 3D models, the virtual reconstruction of historical environments or monuments from the remains that still exist, and the investment in and interaction of these with the visitor, are fundamental in the preservation and transmission of our culture. This is without forgetting the automation of processes, reducing the working hours of human operators. However, these techniques must be based on scientifically endorsed processes, in which rigorous hypotheses are established based on proven scientific data.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect the experiences of authors and their most innovative results concerning the interventions and conservation processes performed in order to address historical sites and monuments, which are a testimony to our rich Cultural Heritage. This Special Issue particularly welcomes submissions that seek to integrate different efficient systems and diverse technological resources (including AI) in order to study, catalogue, preserve and disseminate the universal architectural, archaeological and artistic heritage (PA3). This also implies that the expert community can evaluate its usefulness and contrast its effectiveness as an innovative means of study. This is therefore the best means of achieving positive and rapid implementation in the sector.

Dr. Juan Enrique Nieto-Julián
Dr. Juan J. Moyano
Dr. Silvana Bruno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

cultural heritage
conservation
scan-to-BIM
HBIM
photogrammetry
drone photogrammetry
artificial intelligence
building archaeology
image segmentation
masonry structure
point pattern analysis
digital twin

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 11641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

4D Digital Integration for Nanomaterial-Based Monitoring and Treatment of Bridge Piers Defects

by Ghazy Abdullah Albaqawy, Mabrouk Touahmia, Mustapha Boukendakdji, Abderrahmane Ouazir, Abdulaziz Mansour, Ahmed Sallam and Mohamed Saleh Sedek

Buildings 2025, 15(3), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030501 - 6 Feb 2025

Viewed by 677

Abstract

This study presents an innovative 4D digital model that integrates Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) with several types of data to defect detection in complex bridge structures. The model promotes precise data preparation, navigation, visualization, integration, and monitoring, enabling the identification of defects, like material deterioration, condition changes, and structural clashes in components like trusses. Bridge model provides time-based access to maps, allowing users to explore changes over time and predict future conditions. The integration of time dimension into the 4D model provides dynamic tools for exploring changes over time, allowing for analysis and maintenance planning. Through the use of advanced 4D simulation technology, the study’s effectiveness is in visualizing workflows, identifying constraints, and supporting proactive decision-making in structural management. By incorporating various perspectives and enabling users to interact with detailed visualizations, the model enhances understanding and maintenance practices. This approach advances defect modeling and digitization, supporting automation in defect detection while significantly contributing to the long-term safety and sustainability of bridges. In order to obtain non-destructive images and films of the morphology of the sandstone’s internal structure at the bridge pier in addition to the stone’s grain texture and surface characteristics, this research applied X-ray computed tomography approach (CT scan) and XRF as NDT to the analysis of sandstone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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23 pages, 14524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Everyday-Carry Equipment Mapping: A Portable and Low-Cost Method for 3D Digital Documentation of Architectural Heritage by Integrated iPhone and Microdrone

by Nan Zhang and Xijian Lan

Buildings 2025, 15(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010089 - 30 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1254

Abstract

Mapping constitutes a critical component of architectural heritage research, providing the groundwork for both conservation and utilization efforts. Three-dimensional (3D) digital documentation represents a prominent form of mapping in the contemporary era, and its value is widely recognized. However, cost and portability constraints often limit its widespread use in routine research and conservation initiatives. This study proposes a cost-effective and portable approach to 3D digital documentation, employing everyday-carry (EDC) equipment, the iPhone 15 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro, for data acquisition in architectural heritage. The workflow was subsequently optimized, and the datasets from the iPhone-LiDAR and microdrone were seamlessly integrated, resulting in an integrated 3D digital model of both the indoor and outdoor spaces of the architectural heritage site. The model demonstrated an overall relative error of 4.93%, achieving centimeter-level accuracy, precise spatial alignment between indoor and outdoor sections, clear and smooth texture mapping, high visibility, and suitability for digital display applications. This optimized workflow leverages the strengths of both EDC equipment types while addressing the limitations identified in prior studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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26 pages, 15301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ethnic Architectural Heritage Identification Using Low-Altitude UAV Remote Sensing and Improved Deep Learning Algorithms

by Ting Luo, Xiaoqiong Sun, Weiquan Zhao, Wei Li, Linjiang Yin and Dongdong Xie

Buildings 2025, 15(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010015 - 24 Dec 2024

Viewed by 605

Abstract

Ethnic minority architecture is a vital carrier of the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in China, and its quick and accurate extraction from remote sensing images is highly important for promoting the application of remote sensing information in urban management and architectural heritage protection. Taking Buyi architecture in China as an example, this paper proposes a minority architectural heritage identification method that combines low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology and an improved deep learning algorithm. First, UAV images are used as the data source to provide high-resolution images for research on ethnic architecture recognition and to solve the problems associated with the high costs, time consumption, and destructiveness of traditional methods for ethnic architecture recognition. Second, to address the lack of edge pixel features in the sample images and reduce repeated labeling of the same sample, the ethnic architecture in entire remote sensing images is labeled on the Arcgis platform, and the sliding window method is used to cut the image data and the corresponding label file with a 10% overlap rate. Finally, an attention mechanism SE module is introduced to improve the DeepLabV3+ network model structure and achieve superior ethnic building recognition results. The experimental data fully show that the model’s accuracy reaches as high as 0.9831, with an excellent recall rate of 0.9743. Moreover, the F1 score is stable at a high level of 0.9787, which highlights the excellent performance of the model in terms of comprehensive evaluation indicators. Additionally, the intersection/union ratio (IoU) of the model is 0.9582, which further verifies its high precision in pixel-level recognition tasks. According to an in-depth comparative analysis, the innovative method proposed in this paper solves the problem of insufficient feature extraction of sample edge pixels and substantially reduces interference from complex environmental factors such as roads, building shadows, and vegetation with the recognition results for ethnic architecture. This breakthrough greatly improves the accuracy and robustness of the identification of architecture in low-altitude remote sensing images and provides strong technical support for the protection and intelligent analysis of architectural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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17 pages, 133107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Atlas and Influencing Factors of Architectural Color Paintings in Tibetan Timber Dwellings in Yunnan

by Heng Liu, Chen Yang, Yanwei Su, Mingli Qiang, Xuebing Zhou and Zhe Yuan

Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3971; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123971 - 14 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 869

Abstract

Architectural color painting is one of the cultural heritages of the Tibetan people. To address the issues of “loss” and “variation” in architectural color paintings during the renovation of traditional Tibetan timber dwellings in Yunnan, it is essential to organize and categorize the forms and cultural content of ethnic minority timber architectural paintings. This approach will help supplement foundational research on the subject. This study, based on linguistic research findings, focuses on the Diqing South Locus Dialect Region as the research area, conducting field investigations in over 30 settlements (involving more than 80 dwellings). This study analyzes patterns, colors, and forms across various architectural elements to develop a detailed atlas of decorative painting patterns. A combined analysis of historical documentation reveals three primary folk causes behind the architectural color paintings of Tibetan timber buildings in Yunnan: (1) primitive worship under animism; (2) decorative norms guided by religious beliefs; and (3) cultural fusion resulting from ethnic heritage. This will help people understand the cultural essence behind architectural paintings, avoiding the cognitive limitation of knowing only their form but not their meaning. This paper aims to raise awareness of the cultural heritage of regional timber buildings, providing a basis for typological accumulation and model references for the protection and transmission of regional timber architectural color paintings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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27 pages, 19423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conservation of Socio-Religious Historic Buildings: A Case Study of Shah Yousuf Gardez Shrine

by Sunera Imtiaz, Sabahat Arif, Ahsan Nawaz and Syyed Adnan Raheel Shah

Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072116 - 10 Jul 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1882

Abstract

Historic buildings are considered assets for generations. The use of 3D interactive models is an excellent way to document such historic cultural heritage. Such buildings include socio-religious buildings, such as shrines and religious monuments. Digital technologies such as photogrammetry and laser scanning play a pivotal role in monitoring and safeguarding precious shrine cultural heritage. These advanced techniques allow the capture of details and accurate 3D representations of cultural artifacts, architectural structures, and even entire shrines. This study deals with research related to the conservation of the selected historic shrine of Shah Yousaf Gardez. A laser scanner methodology was used to produce a high-level detail interactive model translated into a heritage building information modeling (HBIM) prototype. This HBIM model has been designed to maintain the historical details of the shrine, especially geometric features, artwork present on the surface, and condition of structural as well as non-structural components. Data analysis of defects in structural and non-structural components was also analyzed in the study. This study was conducted fort the first time for a shrine case study. It will not only help to document and preserve historic buildings and cultural heritage but also monitor potential degradation or damage over time. Using this technology, scheduled conservation and restoration efforts ensuring the long-term preservation of these invaluable treasures can be adopted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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33 pages, 21367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Case Study of Integrating Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Heritage Bridge Documentation: The Edmund Pettus Bridge

by Danielle S. Willkens, Junshan Liu and Shadi Alathamneh

Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1940; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071940 - 26 Jun 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2421

Abstract

The Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma, Alabama, a symbol of the American Civil Rights Movement and an exemplar of early 20th-century engineering, stands as a testament to the progress and challenges of its era. The bridge, recognized for its pivotal role in the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” conflict and the following Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights, also represents significant engineering achievements with its distinctive design and construction methodology. In this study, the research team presents a comprehensive framework for documenting heritage bridges by utilizing Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology, supplemented by other Reality Capture (RC) techniques, including Structure from Motion (SfM), 360-degree photography, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and integrating the data within a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. The focus on the Edmund Pettus Bridge case study demonstrates how this novel approach can capture the intricate details of its structural and architectural features while preserving its historical narratives. The documentation outcomes, including a detailed BIM model and a set of Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) drawings, highlight the effectiveness of combining TLS and BIM in conserving unconventional heritage structures like bridges. This paper also discusses the technological challenges encountered, such as dealing with heavy traffic and environmental constraints during data acquisition and developing the BIM model and drawings. It outlines the strategies implemented to address these issues. This research contributes to preserving a severely under-represented American National Historic Landmark (NHL). It sets a precedent for documenting other non-building heritage structures, balancing technological advancements with historical integrity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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26 pages, 10445 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Historical Building Information Modeling-Based Framework to Improve Collaboration and Data Security in Architectural Heritage Restoration Projects

by Cong Zhou, Xingyao Dong, Yiquan Zou, Hao Yang, Jingtao Zhi and Zhixiang Ren

Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1431; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051431 - 15 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1473

Abstract

With the increasing awareness of architectural heritage conservation and the development of digital technology, there is an urgent need in the field of architectural heritage restoration for a novel solution that can enhance data security, collaboration efficiency, and file management capabilities. This study proposes an Architectural Heritage Restoration Distributed Common Data Environment (AHR-DCDE) framework based on blockchain and IPFS technologies to address the above challenges. The AHR-DCDE framework significantly improves data security and collaborative efficiency in architectural heritage restoration projects by creating a decentralized collaborative design process that achieves data immutability, traceability, and efficient large-scale file processing capabilities. The AHR-DCDE framework significantly improves data security and collaborative efficiency in architectural heritage restoration projects by creating a decentralized collaborative design process that achieves data immutability, traceability, and efficient large-scale file processing capabilities. In this study, the practicality and effectiveness of the AHR-DCDE framework is verified by taking the heritage restoration design project of Pinghe Packing Factory in Wuhan, Hubei Province, as an example. Evaluation of the framework’s network latency, throughput, and storage costs indicates that AHR-DCDE can meet the requirements of architectural heritage restoration projects, possessing efficient capabilities for handling and sharing project data. Furthermore, the implementation of the AHR-DCDE framework also facilitates efficient collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, providing robust technical support for the protection and restoration of architectural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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25 pages, 20881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Twin Research on Masonry–Timber Architectural Heritage Pathology Cracks Using 3D Laser Scanning and Deep Learning Model

by Shengzhong Luo and Hechi Wang

Buildings 2024, 14(4), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041129 - 17 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1915

Abstract

Due to various factors such as aging, natural environment erosion, and man-made destruction, architectural heritage has formed various diseases and cracks, especially in pathology cracks, which are the most typical masonry–timber architectural heritages, directly affecting the structural stability of masonry–timber buildings. This paper uses artificial intelligence and architecture and other multi-disciplinary research methods, taking James Jackson Gymnasium, a famous masonry–timber architectural heritage in Wuhan, as an example, using 3D laser scanning technology to obtain disease details and crack data of architectural heritage, using a Mask R-CNN model to detect crack area, using an FCN model to identify and calculate single cracks, and finally summarizing the type, location, and characteristics of cracks, analyzing the causes of cracks, and then putting forward corresponding hierarchical restoration strategies. The research results build a set of detection and repair systems of masonry–timber architectural heritage pathology cracks, which provide a set of accurate and objective pathology cracks data for architectural heritage protection and repair, and provide a reference for architectural heritage repair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings)

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